Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2026
Encapsulated Cell Technology for the Delivery of Biologics to the Mouse Eye
Published on: March 30, 2020
Prospects for treatment of pediatric vitreoretinal diseases with vascular endothelial growth factor inhibition
Kristie L Lin1, Tatsuo Hirose, Arnold J Kroll
1Department of Ophthalmology, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA. Kristie.Lin@gmail.com
Insights
Anti-VEGF therapy shows promise for pediatric retinal diseases like retinopathy of prematurity. Further controlled trials are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments in children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Medicine
- Vascular Biology
Background:
- Angiogenesis inhibitors, specifically anti-VEGF agents, are established treatments for adult retinal diseases.
- Limited data exists on the application of anti-VEGF therapy in pediatric vitreoretinal disorders.
Observation:
- Pediatric conditions examined include retinopathy of prematurity, Coats' disease, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, and retinopathy of incontinentia pigmenti.
- Early trials of anti-VEGF therapy in these pediatric conditions are encouraging.
Findings:
- Current evidence suggests potential benefits of anti-VEGF therapy for various pediatric vitreoretinal diseases.
- A case study details the use of anti-VEGF therapy in retinopathy of incontinentia pigmenti.
Implications:
- Anti-VEGF therapy represents a promising avenue for treating pediatric retinal vascular conditions.
- More extensive, controlled clinical trials are essential to validate the safety and efficacy of these treatments in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
While angiogenesis inhibitors are already widely used to treat retinal disease in adults, only limited reports are currently available for the use of anti-VEGF in pediatric vitreoretinal diseases such as retinopathy of prematurity, Coats' disease, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy and retinopathy of incontinentia pigmenti. The limited trials of anti-VEGF therapy for pediatric vitreoretinal diseases are promising, although more extensive controlled trials will be needed to confirm their safety and efficacy. This paper will examine the current evidence for use of anti-VEGF therapy in a number of pediatric vitreoretinal disorders and describe a case of anti-VEGF therapy in retinopathy of incontinentia pigmenti.
