Efficacy of topical bevacizumab for inhibiting growth of impending recurrent pterygium.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcome(s) and complication(s) of topical bevacizumab (avastin) in patients with impending recurrent pterygium.

PATIENTS AND

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).

CONCLUSION

Short-term use of topical bevacizumab seems to be a safe and effective means for delaying recurrence of impending recurrent pterygia.