Abstract
Purpose:
Bevacizumab is a recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody directed against vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic effect of subconjunctival and intrastromal injection of Bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization (CNV) and the secondary opacification.
Methods:
We have performed a prospective nonrandomized interventional study, including 15 eyes with CNV secondary to: keratoplasty due to corneal ectasia (n = 2), keratoplasty due to herpetic keratitis (n = 3), keratoplasty due to bullous keratopathy (n = 2), herpetic keratopathy previously treated with amniotic membrane transplantation (n = 2), chemical burns (n = 3) and CNV after pterygium surgery (n = 3). We have injected 2.5 mg / 0.1 ml of Bevacizumab, subconjunctival and intrastromal, in the area with CNV. We have analyzed the CNV regression by anterior segment phothography in relation to the total corneal area. Furthermore, we have evaluated the decrease of corneal opacity regarding lipid deposits, corneal edema and local inflammation.
Results:
We have observed regression of CNV in all patients. The mean area of CNV regression was 37% with a range between 6 and 86%. We have noticed improvement especially in younger vessels and smaller caliber vessels (p<0.001). In 6 cases there was a decrease of corneal opacification (p=0.46). There were no significant adverse effects.
Conclusions:
Intrastromal and subconjunctival injections of Bevacizumab are effective for the reduction of CNV and seem to be useful in terms of decreasing lipid deposits, corneal edema and local inflammation.
Keywords: 479 cornea: clinical science •
748 vascular endothelial growth factor •
609 neovascularization