Retinal angiotamous proliferation (RAP) occurs when abnormal new blood vessels begin to form within the retina as a response to AMD-related damage. This neovascular growth penetrates both above and below the photoreceptor layer of the retina. The new blood vessels have unusually thin walls and are prone to bursting, breaking, or leaking. Neovascular growth originating within the retina continues, and at some point meets with neovascular growth originating from the choroid. The consolidation of tangled blood vessels and the profuse hemorrhaging causes retinal detachment at the photoreceptor layer and detachment of the retinal pigment epithelium layer. Vision loss associated with RAP is often drastic; the scarring may cause legal blindness.

RAP can affect anyone who has AMD. It is necessary for retina specialists to use the appropriate technologies to diagnose RAP, so that treatment can begin as soon as possible. These technologies include fluorescein angiography (FA), ICG imaging, or ocular coherence tomography. With the proper diagnosis and immediate treatment, it is sometimes possible to stop the extensive leakage and the progression of vision loss. Early stages of RAP can be successfully treated with laser photocoagulation. Anti-vegf agents such as Avastin may be used to treat later stages of RAP.