Retinal microvasculature

The **retinal microvasculature** refers collectively to the intricate network of small blood vessels—including arterioles, venules, and capillaries—within the retina. These vessels are responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to retinal neurons while removing metabolic waste. The architecture includes several distinct plexuses: superficial capillary plexus at the nerve fiber layer/ganglion cell layer; intermediate/deep capillary plexuses flanking the inner nuclear layer; and specialized networks such as peripapillary radial capillaries around the optic nerve head. The choriocapillaris beneath the retinal pigment epithelium supplies outer layers including photoreceptors[1]. Retinal microvascular health is essential for normal vision. Alterations in vessel density, diameter, tortuosity, or branching complexity are associated with systemic conditions like diabetes mellitus (diabetic retinopathy), hypertension (hypertensive retinopathy), cardiovascular disease risk prediction,[2][4] neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease,[3] renal failure,[2] pulmonary dysfunction,[2] anemia,[2] among others. Because these vessels can be non-invasively visualized using advanced imaging techniques like optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) or fundus photography—and because their structure reflects broader systemic vascular health—the **retinal microvasculature serves as a valuable biomarker** for early detection and monitoring of both ocular and systemic diseases.[5][7] However, "retinal microvasculature" is not a single molecular target but an anatomical/functional unit composed of many cell types and molecules. Therefore it is **not considered a therapeutic target** in itself but rather an important diagnostic/prognostic indicator. In summary: > The term "retinal microvasculature" describes an anatomical system—not a discrete molecule/receptor—and thus does not fit standard definitions used for drug targets like receptors or enzymes.[1][4] This entry should be flagged as incorrect if used where only individual molecular targets are appropriate.

Other names

Retinal microvesselsRetinal capillary networkRetinal vascular plexusRetinal blood vessels