Abstract
Purpose: :
To determine the efficacy of topical bevacizumab in the treatment of corneal neovascularization.
Methods: :
Corneal neovascularization was induced with a slik suture of the corneal stroma in 8 rabbits(16 eyes). One week after suturing, 4 rabbits were treated with topical bevacizumab 5 mg/ml (A group) and another 4 rabbits were treated with topical bevacizumab 10 mg/ml (B group) in the right eyes twice a day. The left eyes were used as the control. The area of corneal neovascularization was measured and evaluated histologically using light microscopy. The concentration of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) in corneal tissue was measured.
Results: :
Mean area of new vessels was 0.8260±0.037(1week) and 0.7363±0.039(2weeks) in control group. And mean area was 0.6242±0.049(1week), 0.4566±0.056(2weeks) in A group, 0.5808±0.052(1week), 0.3957±0.027(2weeks) in B group.The neovascularized area was smaller in A and B groups than control group (P<0.001). Mean concentration of VEGF was 1284.33±223.01 pg/ml in control group, 998.33±130.93 pg/ml in A group, and 942.00±32.86 pg/ml in B group.The histologic examination revealed fewer corneal vessels and the concentration of VEGF was also lower (P<0.01) in the treated group.
Conclusions: :
Topical bevacizumab may be useful in treatment of the corneal neovascularization and a further study will be necessary.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • vascular endothelial growth factor • neovascularization