title: Use of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor in the management of pterygium.
abstract: The rising success of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapies in ocular disease has stimulated the use of such treatments in the surgical management of pterygium. We reviewed the literature to better understand the safety and efficacy of the adjunctive role of anti-VEGF treatments for pterygium excision. Without surgery, anti-VEGF alone may favourably alter symptoms and vascularity, but does not cause pterygium regression. Some evidence supports the use of anti-VEGF as an adjuvant therapy to surgery, especially when using a higher dose and a more frequent dosing regimen. Overall, anti-VEGF is generally safe and well tolerated in patients with pterygium. Currently, the evidence does not conclusively support the use of anti-VEGF in pterygium surgery. However, further research may guide unanswered questions regarding the interaction between VEGF and other factors responsible for pterygium growth. In addition, the optimal route and dosage of anti-VEGF administration is not yet known.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Authority, Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Renata Kiri
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Mak
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.|Hong Kong Eye Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Tommy Chung Yan
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Marcus M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Marcet
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Bonnie Nga Kwan
authors.initials: BN
authors.lastname: Choy
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Jennifer Wei Huen
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Shum
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kendrick Co
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Ian Yat Hin
authors.initials: IY
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Alex Lap Ki
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8321-5634
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Ng
mesh_terms: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D011625:Pterygium / Q000188:drug therapy*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: anti-vegf; bevacizumab; pterygium; ranibizumab