A 58-year-old woman presents to her ophthalmologist for evaluation of decreased visual acuity. She states her vision in both eyes has been worsening over the past six months. The patient has a history of poorly-controlled
type 2 diabetes mellitus. Vitals are within normal limits. Fundoscopic examination reveals bilateral retinal hemorrhages, hard
exudates, and angiogenesis circumferential to the
retina in both eyes. Which of the following growth factors is responsible for these fundoscopic features?
