Bevacizumab (Avastin) eye drops inhibit corneal neovascularization.

BACKGROUND

To analyze the ability of bevacizumab (Avastin) eye drops to inhibit corneal neovascularization.

DESIGN

interventional case series involving five patients (age: 42 +/- 14 years).

METHODS

Patients with aggressive corneal neovascularisation not responding to conventional therapy were treated with bevacizumab (Avastin) eye drops (5x/day; 5 mg/ml) for 0.5 to 6 months (mean: 3.6 +/- 2; four patients with limbal stem cell deficiency [three due to chemical burns and one inherited] and one after perforating keratoplasty).

RESULTS

Bevacizumab eye drops were well tolerated without obvious corneal side-effects. All five patients showed a reduction in the neovascularized area (decrease 48 +/- 28%; 13-75%).

CONCLUSIONS

Bevacizumab eye drops seem to inhibit corneal neovascularization without obvious corneal epithelial side-effects.