title: Single and multiple injections of subconjunctival ranibizumab for early, recurrent pterygium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of single versus multiple subconjunctival ranibizumab injections in patients with an early pterygium recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-center, academic practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients with early pterygium recurrence.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subconjunctival ranibizumab (0.5 mg/0.05 mL) was administered adjacent to pterygium recurrence. Group 1 (n = 5) received one injection; group 2 (n = 4) received three injections (time points 0, 2, and 4 weeks) with the ability to retreat as needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Effect of ranibizumab on conjunctival hyperemia and corneal neovascular area over a 6-month follow-up period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the single injection group, a decrease in conjunctival hyperemia was noted in all patients on postinjection day 1. At follow up, hyperemia grade fluctuated, although all patients had less hyperemia than at baseline. In the recurrent injection group, the median number of injections was 8.5 (range 7 to 9) over the 6 months. In spite of the repeated injections, the pattern of conjunctival hyperemia was similar to that of the single injection group. In group 1, corneal neovascularization remained relatively unchanged over the 6-month period in four patients and decreased in one patient by 24%. In group 2, corneal neovascularization increased in one patient by 39%, remained stable in one patient, and decreased in two patients by 34% and 44%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study to evaluate the role of ranibizumab in the treatment of an early pterygium recurrence and the first to compare multiple versus single injections. Recurrent injections did not appear to be superior to a single injection with regards to conjunctival hyperemia.
authors.affiliation: Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Volkan
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hurmeric
authors.forename: Pravin
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vaddavalli
authors.forename: Anat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Galor
authors.forename: Victor L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Janika San
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Roman
authors.forename: Sonia H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Yoo
keywords: conjunctival hyperemia; corneal neovascularization; pterygium; ranibizumab; recurrence