We previously reported that activation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) by its ligand heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF) ameliorates the cerebral vascular deficits of the SVD mouse—including neurovascular coupling and functional hyperemia deficits (Capone et al., 2016; Dabertrand et al., 2021). Here, HBEGF is linked to snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration.