Effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab on primary pterygium.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab on primary pterygium.

METHODS

A patient with an inflamed nasal primary pterygium, refractory to artificial tears and naphazoline, was enrolled in this study. After pretreatment with topical proparacaine and moxifloxacin, 0.05 mL of bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) was injected subconjunctivally at the limbus. Clinical signs of irritation, redness, and vascularization were monitored over 7 weeks.

RESULTS

At 1 week postinjection, irritation and hyperemia showed near-total regression. At week 2, the pterygium maintained this appearance. By week 7, the degree of vascularity and symptoms of irritation had regressed to its preinjection state.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of primary pterygium with subconjunctival bevacizumab results in a short-term decrease in vascularization and irritation. Further long-term studies should investigate the efficacy of bevacizumab as an adjunct to surgical excision or combined topical treatment targeting other growth factors involved in pterygium pathogenesis.