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Anti-VEGF therapy a potential answer for corneal neovascularization
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CHICAGO — Emerging evidence suggests that use of anti-VEGF agents in corneal diseases that spur neovascularization is both safe and effective, according to a speaker here.
 Terry Kim |
Although limited in number and patients treated, small case series do support the use of anti-VEGF therapy for treatment of the many ocular surface pathologies associated with corneal neovascularization, according to Terry Kim, MD, who spoke here at Cornea Subspecialty Day prior to the joint meeting of the American Academy of Ophthalmology and the Middle East Africa Council of Ophthalmology.
"The available treatments for those diseases have met with limited success," Dr. Kim said.
Dr. Kim and colleagues at Duke University have used a reconstituted and diluted dose of topical Avastin (bevacizumab, Genentech) in two patients with corneal neovascularization, with dramatic reduction in new vessels and no known safety complications.
The anecdotal experience appears to be supported by a prospective, open-label study by Dastjerdi et al, published in the Archives of Ophthalmology in 2009. In that study, a 1.0% dose of bevacizumab affected a mean reduction in neovascularization of 47% and a mean reduction in vessel caliber of 54%. The dose was also well tolerated, and there were no significant changes to visual acuity or central corneal thickness, Dr. Kim said.
However, he cautioned, studies are still needed to elucidate the preferred anti-VEGF drug, the method of delivery, dose, duration of therapy and the safety.
- Disclosure: Dr. Kim has no direct financial interest in the products discussed in this article, nor is he a paid consultant for any companies mentioned.