Clinical Profile and Treatment Outcomes of Retinal Vasoproliferative Tumors: A Systematic Review

To characterize the clinical presentation, demographic distribution, etiologies, and comorbidities of retinal vasoproliferative tumors (RVPTs) and to synthesize the available evidence on treatment modalities and their outcomes. A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus for studies examining RVPTs. Twenty-nine eligible reports were retained for qualitative synthesis. Twenty-nine eligible reports comprising 814 study-level participant entries were included. Primary RVPTs accounted for 63.5% of tumors, and the most frequent complications were exudation (71.7%) and subretinal fluid (55.1%). Treatment evidence was heterogeneous. Stability during observation ranged from 66.7% to 100%, and laser-only anatomic response ranged from 83.3% to 100%. Cryotherapy-focused cohorts reported 100% final regression, although retreatment was frequent in selected secondary tumors. Plaque brachytherapy achieved tumor control in 71.8% to 96.7%, with stable or improved vision in 57.1% to 73.3% of the larger cohorts. PPV-based series reported anatomic response in 81.8% to 100% and stable or improved vision in 72.7% to 100%. Initial anti-VEGF monotherapy produced regression or temporary thickness reduction in 40.0% to 50.0%, with additional tumor-directed treatment required in 60.0% to 83.3%. Retinal vasoproliferative tumors have diverse clinical presentations, and reported anatomical and visual outcomes vary across treatments. The retrospective, heterogeneous evidence limits comparisons between modalities and does not establish whether earlier detection or intervention prevents irreversible macular damage or improves long-term vision. Relationships among disease duration, time to treatment, and visual outcomes remain uncertain. Prospective multicenter studies with standardized reporting are needed to clarify treatment timing and prognostic factors.