EPO and vitreous hemorrhage: Consecutively, hypoxia-induced growth factors (e.g., VEGF, angiopoietins, and erythropoietin (Epo)) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNFα, IL-6, and IL-1β) are released and promote the formation of new, yet fragile, aberrant and leaky vessels, resulting in vitreous hemorrhage, which can cause retinal scars and detachment, potentially leading to irreversible vision loss and total blindness (Fig. 2) [1, 36, 102].