Subconjunctival bevacizumab injection for corneal neovascularization in recurrent pterygium

Purpose: We report on the use of subconjunctival bevacizumab on corneal vessel density in recurrent pterygia. Methods: The charts of 5 patients with recurrent pterygium, who received subconjunctival injections of bevacizumab (2.5 mg/0.1 ml) were retrospectively reviewed. Ophthalmic evaluation included Snellen visual acuity (VA), tonometry and complete examination before the injection and at 1 week and 1 and 3 months thereafter. Digital photographs of the eyes were analyzed by image analysis software to determine the area of cornea covered by new vessels as a percentage of the total corneal area. Results: No ocular or systemic adverse events were observed. No change in visual acuity was noted in any patient following the injection. The mean change in corneal vascularization after one bevacizumab injection was 0.03% +/- 0.45, while after two injections the change was 0.025% +/- 0.19 (both not statistically different than zero, t-test). Conclusions: Short-term results suggest that subconjunctival bevacizumab is well tolerated but does not cause regression of corneal vessels in recurrent pterygium.