VEGFA and diabetic retinopathy: While various cytokines have been implicated in these pathologies, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A is a major driver of both angiogenesis and vascular hyperpermeability, which has been corroborated with the therapeutic potency of anti-VEGF agents in diabetic retinopathy, retinal vein occlusion, and retinopathy of prematurity [5,6,7].