SUBCONJUNCTIVAL INJECTION

EFFICACY OF SUBCONJUNCTIVAL INJECTION OF BEVACIZUMAB (AVASTIN) ON CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION IN PATIENTS FOLLOWING KERATOPLASTY

Abstract

Introduction: Normally the cornea in human eye is crystalline clear membrane
present in the anterior most portion of the eyeball. Regarding the various functions of the
cornea in human eye it provides protection, clear vision, refractive media the visual system
and maintains itself as an immune privileged site. Neovascularization is mostly associated with
an inflammation and always indicate a state of disease. Similarly Corneal Neovascularization
can cause Graft rejection reaction after keratoplasty the different types of anti-VEGF agents
now are used to prevent neovascular eye diseases. These different Anti-VEGF inhibitors are
Lucentis, Macugen and bevacizumab/Avastin and used in case of ocular neovascularization.
Objectives: To determine the efficacy of subconjuctival injection of Avastin on patients having
corneal neovascularization following keratoplasty. Settings: Department of Ophthalmology
Allied Hospital, Faisalabad and Independent University Hospital, Faisalabad. Study Duration:
The duration of study was 11-02-2015 to 11-07-2015. Results: A total of 86 cases fulfilling the
inclusion/exclusion criteria were enrolled to determine the efficacy of subconjuctival injection
of Avastin on patients having corneal neovascularization following keratoplasty. Discussion:
Regarding the success of Keratoplasty is determined by many factors especially avascularity of
cornea after surgery. Corneal neovasculrization is disease process secondary to various ocular
insults in which growth of vessels towards central cornea occur from the limbal vascular plexus.
But now a days Bevacizumab/Avastin is commonly used in Ophthalmology as “off label” drug in
the treatment of Exudative age related macular degeneration as well as in diabetic retinopathy.
Conclusion: We concluded that the frequency of efficacy of subconjuctival bevacizumab is
higher in patients having corneal neovascularization after corneal transplantation.