Efficacy of topical bevacizumab for inhibiting growth of impending recurrent pterygium.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate clinical outcome(s) and complication(s) of topical bevacizumab (avastin) in patients with impending recurrent pterygium.


METHODS
This prospective clinical trial included 54 consecutive patients (54 eyes), who underwent pterygium surgery with bare sclera and mitomycin, and who were diagnosed with impending recurrent pterygium. Of the 54 patients, 26 received eye drops containing bevacizumab (5 mg/ml) twice a day and betamethasone four times daily for 1 week. In the other 28 patients, betamethasone alone was administered four times daily for 1 week. Follow-up times were 3-6 mos.


RESULTS
All patients in both groups failed, i.e., fibrovascular tissue (pterygia) eventually extended onto the cornea. However, in patients receiving topical bevacizumab, the mean progression of fibrovascular tissue extension during the first week, first month, and third month of follow-up was significantly less than that in the control group (p < 0.01). The mean duration for invasion of cornea in study group patients was significantly longer than that for control group patients (p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Short-term use of topical bevacizumab seems to be a safe and effective means for delaying recurrence of impending recurrent pterygia.
Fallah
Mohammad Reza
MR
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Medical Sciences, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.
Khosravi
Keivan
K
Hashemian
Mohammad Nasser
MN
Beheshtnezhad
Amir Hoshang
AH
Rajabi
Mohammad Taher
MT
Gohari
Mohsen
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000517:prevention & control; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011625:Pterygium / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D061067:Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D000068258:Bevacizumab; D001623:Betamethasone