Abstract:As resident immune cells of the retina, retinal microglia constantly monitor the changes of their surroundings and maintain homeostasis through signal transduction with other retinal cells. Retinal microglia play a crucial role not only in the development and physiological processes of the retinal vascular system, but also in pathological neovascularization. In certain retinopathies, activated microglia can stimulate abnormal angiogenesis through neurovascular coupling, leading to irreversible damage. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this process are still unclear. In this review, we provide a brief overview of the relationship between microglia and retinal neovascularization, and delve into the cellular and molecular signaling mechanisms involved, aiming to offer new and effective strategies for the prevention and treatment of retinal neovascularization diseases.