Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy

Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy (FEVR, pronounced as fever) is a genetic disorder affecting the growth and development of blood vessels in the retina of the eye.

This can lead to the growth of new blood vessels which are prone to leakage and hemorrhage and can cause retinal folds, tears, and detachments.

[1][2][3][4] Pathophysiology FEVR is caused by genetic defects involving the regulation of blood vessel growth in developing eyes.

[1][2] Severity of disease is highly variable and can range from mild visual impairment to complete vision loss.

If a retinal detachment occurs, laser therapy or surgery may be required to repair the retina.

Diagram of the human eye. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the eye that receives light and converts it into a signal which travels along the optic nerve to be processed into visual perception by the brain.
Familial exudative vitreoretinopathy involves the improper growth and development of the blood vessels in the retina.
Laser photocoagulation involves using a laser to cauterize the portions of retina which are not supplied by blood vessels.