In this report, we describe the case of a patient with ocular chemical injury, symblepharon, and
corneal neovascularization in whom subconjunctival injection of
bevacizumab caused regression of corneal opacification and neovascularization, which led to visual improvement.
CASE PRESENTATION: A 54-year-old Caucasian woman presented at our eye emergency department following a splash injury of the left eye with
sodium hydroxide. At presentation, her visual acuity was light perception.
Slit-lamp examination showed diffuse corneal epithelial defects, stromal
edema, and localized Descemet's folds. Despite administration of topical and systemic
steroids, she developed symblepharon after 3 months as well as superficial and deep
corneal neovascularization with visual acuity 0.5 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. A subconjunctival
bevacizumab injection (dose 1.25mg/0.05ml) was administered. After 1 week, the vessels appeared thinner and
corneal opacity was clearer. Her visual acuity improved to 0.3 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution. Three weeks later her visual acuity had not changed, and the vessels had started to perfuse again. A second subconjunctival
bevacizumab injection was given. After 2 weeks, her vision had improved to 0.1 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution, vessel regression was observed, and
corneal opacity was significantly reduced. Three months after the second injection her vision was unchanged, and the neovascularization remained stable. During the next months, the patient's condition was well-controlled, and, at the end of follow-up 24 months later, her visual acuity and clinical condition were unaltered.
CONCLUSION: