Subconjunctival bevacizumab injection for corneal neovascularization in recurrent pterygium.
OBJECTIVE
We report on the use of subconjunctival bevacizumab on corneal vessel density in recurrent pterygia.


METHODS
The charts of 5 patients with recurrent pterygium, who received subconjunctival injections of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 ml) were retrospectively reviewed. Ophthalmic evaluation included Snellen visual acuity (VA), tonometry and complete examination before the injection and at 1 week and 1 and 3 months thereafter. Digital photographs of the eyes were analyzed by image analysis software to determine the area of cornea covered by new vessels as a percentage of the total corneal area.


RESULTS
No ocular or systemic adverse events were observed. No change in visual acuity was noted in any patient following the injection. The mean change in corneal vascularization after one bevacizumab injection was 0.03%+/-0.45, while after two injections the change was 0.025%+/-0.19 (both not statistically different than zero, t-test).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term results suggest that subconjunctival bevacizumab is well tolerated but does not cause regression of corneal vessels in recurrent pterygium.
Bahar
Irit
I
Department of Ophthalmology, Toronto Western Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. iritbahar@yahoo.com
Kaiserman
Igor
I
McAllum
Penny
P
Rootman
David
D
Slomovic
Allan
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D003228:Conjunctiva; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D007429:Intraocular Pressure; D008875:Middle Aged; D011625:Pterygium / Q000150:complications*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014792:Visual Acuity
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab