Annual SFO rapport covers vascular pathologies

PARIS — Vascular ocular pathologies were the topic of this year's "rapport" of the French Society of Ophthalmology, an annual publication that gathers major contributions from the leading specialists in a chosen field.

"Ocular circulation is involved in the mechanisms of many vascular disorders, mainly ischemic conditions affecting the optic nerve and the retinal circulation," said Constantin Pournaras, MD, coordinator of the rapport.

Angiogenesis is a physiological mechanism in situations such as menstruation and cicatrization but becomes pathological in other conditions such as cancer and several ocular diseases, Francine Behar-Cohen, MD, said.

In other words, neovascularization is a pathological abnormal development of vessels, which is a characteristic of conditions such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.

The symposium where the rapport was presented focused on the pathophysiological mechanisms of the neovascular component of these conditions and on the potential applications of treatments.

"We discussed the major systemic diseases affecting the retinal and choroidal circulation and the most recent developments in the etiology, diagnosis and treatment of each one of them," Dr. Pournaras said.

The most recent and promising treatments, currently, are those applied in the vitreous cavity. Different molecules, such as anti-VEGF agents, are demonstrating to be effective in interfering with the mechanisms that lead to new vessel formation, and the majority of diseases can be improved if the application of the treatment comes from the vitreous side.

"Neovascular formations are sensitive to any drug which comes directly into contact with the exterior part of the vessels. Unfortunately, the systemic approach has proven to be not as effective as we thought initially," Dr. Pournaras said.