VEGFA and retinopathy of prematurity: Mesenchymal cells (such a primitive astrocytes), of the ischemic, nonvascularized peripheral retina produce vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) which in the absence of any regulation, stimulate the production of neovascularization in ROP.8, 9 Under normal conditions, the presence of VEGF in response to physiological hypoxia of the maturing avascular retina just anterior to the junction with vascular retina, support normal angiogenesis.