In DR, angiogenic mediators such as insulin-like growth factor-1, erythropoietin, fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) are released secondary to retinal ischemia and lead to the formation of neovascular structures in the retina.2,3,4 VH which arises due to these neovascular structures is an important clinical condition that prevents panretinal photocoagulation (PRP), the gold standard in proliferative (PDR) treatment. The gene discussed is VEGFA; the disease is retinal ischemia.