EPO and age-related macular degeneration: The imbalance between endogenous angiogenic factors and angiogenic inhibitors is responsible for the formation of pathologic vessels.7 It has been shown that multiple angiogenic factors, such as VEGF, insulin-like growth factor, and erythropoietin, are implicated in the pathogenesis of DR and AMD.8,9 VEGF expression is upregulated in DR, ROP, AMD, and inflammation-associated corneal NV.10, –12 Alterations of these growth factors and their receptors have been identified in corneal NV, DR, ROP, and AMD in both experimental models and clinical studies.13, –15