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To determine if the angiogenic peptide vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is required for retinal ischemia—associated iris neovascularization in a nonhuman primate.

Laser retinal vein occlusion was used to produce retinal ischemia in 16 eyes of eight animals (Macaca fascicularis). Eyes were randomized to treatment every other day with intravitreal injections of either a neutralizing anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody or a control monoclonal antibody of the same isotype. Serial iris fluorescein angiograms were assessed using a standardized grading system and masked readers. Retinal VEGF and placental growth factor expression were assessed by Northern blotting. The specificity of the antibodies was determined in capillary endothelial cell proliferation assays prior to intravitreal injection.

Zero of eight eyes receiving the neutralizing anti-VEGF antibodies developed iris …