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The effect of different doses of subconjunctival bevacizumab injection on corneal neovascularization

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Abstract

To evaluate the effects of various doses of subconjunctival bevacizumab injections in the treatment of patients with corneal neovascularization. During the 6-month-follow-up, no significant ocular or systemic adverse events were observed related to the subconjunctival bevacizumab injection. In Group 1, the total area of corneal neovascularization before injection was 14.8 ± 3.2 % of the corneal surface and 10.2 ± 2.8 % 6 months after injection (p < 0.01). The mean decrease in Group 1 was 32.0 ± 3.0 %. In Group 2, the total area of corneal neovascularization before and 6 months after the injection was 14.2 ± 2.5 and 9.8 ± 2.3 %, respectively (p < 0.01). The mean decrease in Group 2 was 31.0 ± 2.3 %. The difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Twenty-four eyes of 24 patients with corneal neovascularization who were treated with a subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab were included in this retrospective study. Fourteen eyes were treated with 2.5 mg/0.1 ml (Group 1), and 10 eyes were treated with 5.0 mg/0.2 ml (Group 2) of subconjunctival bevacizumab. Digital photographs of the cornea were used to determine the area of corneal neovascularization before injection and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment. Subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab is well tolerated and associated with a partial regression of corneal neovascularization. The efficacy of this treatment is not correlated to the injection dose.

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  1. Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital, Ophthalmology Clinic, Tibbiye st., Uskudar, 34668, Istanbul, Turkey

    Banu Torun Acar, Elvin Halili & Suphi Acar

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  1. Banu Torun Acar
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  2. Elvin Halili
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  3. Suphi Acar
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Correspondence to Banu Torun Acar.

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Acar, B.T., Halili, E. & Acar, S. The effect of different doses of subconjunctival bevacizumab injection on corneal neovascularization. Int Ophthalmol 33, 507–513 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-013-9732-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-013-9732-8

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