Management of Corneal Neovascularization With Diathermy and Intrastromal Bevacizumab Injection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the outcomes of patients with corneal neovascularization treated with intrastromal injection of bevacizumab and corneal fine needle diathermy (FND).

METHODS

This is a retrospective case series of six patients with at least 6 months follow-up after intrastromal injection of bevacizumab and FND. The main outcome measures include change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and regression of corneal neovascularization at follow-up. Slitlamp photographs were taken pre and post procedure.

RESULTS

The mean age of the patients was 64.2 years, and the baseline BCVA ranged from 20/40 to 20/100. At postoperative months 1 and 6, all patients had improvement in corneal neovascularization, with 67% (4/6) showing total resolution while 33% (2/3) had residual deep fine vessels. Best-corrected visual acuity improved in two patients and remained stable in four patients. Two patients had improvement in lipid keratopathy at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Combined intrastromal injection of bevacizumab and FND is an effective treatment for corneal neovascularization.