Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Fourteen eyes of 14 patients with high risk corneal transplantation and corneal neovascularization after PKP (nine men and five women with a mean age of 63 years) were included in this non-comparative interventional case series. Indications for PKP were: vascularized leukomas after herpetic keratitis and chemical burn, advanced pseudophakic bullous keratopathy with superficial and deep corneal vascularization, keratoconus, severe infection in hereditary corneal dystrophy, and failed corneal grafts. Subconjunctival, perilimbal, and/or intrastromal bevacizumab of dose of 2.5 mg/ 0.1 ml/ per affected quadrant was injected at the site of neovascularization in each patient at the end of surgery and/or at follow up visits. One or two injections were applied. At each visit a full eye examination with photo documentation was performed. Follow-up period was 2 to 8 months (mean 7.1 months). RESULTS: Decrease of corneal neovascularization was observed in eleven patients (78.6%). Regression of neovascularization with fading of small vessels was demonstrated. Despite high- risk patient pool, twelve grafts (85.7%) remained transparent for the period of observation, and patients maintained good visual acuity. In two patients with initial graft rejection and vascularization, subconjunctival and perilimbal application of bevacizumab was beneficial in overcoming the corneal inflammation and initial rejection. No adverse reactions have been detected to date in patients with subconjunctival, perilimbal, and/or intrastromal injection of bevacizumab. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | Petja Ivanova Vassileva, Tatyana Georgieva Hergeldzhieva |
Journal | Graefe's archive for clinical and experimental ophthalmology = Albrecht von Graefes Archiv fur klinische und experimentelle Ophthalmologie
(Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol)
Vol. 247
Issue 12
Pg. 1701-6
(Dec 2009)
ISSN: 1435-702X [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 19680676
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Angiogenesis Inhibitors
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
- Bevacizumab
|
Topics |
- Adult
- Aged
- Aged, 80 and over
- Angiogenesis Inhibitors
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Antibodies, Monoclonal
(administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
- Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized
- Bevacizumab
- Conjunctiva
(drug effects)
- Corneal Neovascularization
(prevention & control)
- Corneal Stroma
(drug effects)
- Female
- Humans
- Injections
- Keratoplasty, Penetrating
- Male
- Middle Aged
- Postoperative Complications
- Risk Factors
- Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
(antagonists & inhibitors)
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