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Inhibition of corneal neovascularization after alkali burn: comparison of different doses of bevacizumab in monotherapy or associated with dexamethasone
Author(s) -
Hoffart Louis,
Matonti Frederic,
Conrath John,
Daniel Laurent,
Ridings Bernard,
Masson Guillaume S,
Chavane Frederic
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2010.02252.x
Subject(s) - dexamethasone , bevacizumab , medicine , corneal neovascularization , cornea , ophthalmology , neovascularization , saline , surgery , angiogenesis , anesthesia , chemotherapy
A bstract Background: To compare the effects of different doses of bevacizumab with both saline and dexamethasone on inflammatory angiogenesis in the rat cornea induced by small chemical lesions. Methods: Corneal chemical cauterization was performed on 24 rats. Animals were divided randomly into six groups and received a daily subconjunctival injection for 7 days of: balanced salt solution 0.1 mL or dexamethasone phosphate 4 mg/day or bevacizumab 2.5 mg/day, 3.75 mg/day, 5.0 mg/day or bevacizumab 5.0 mg/day + dexamethasone phosphate 4 mg/day. Clinical examination under slit lamp was performed daily for 7 days to evaluate corneal opacity and vessel size evolution. Computer‐assisted quantitative image analysis was used to measure the total corneal area covered by neovascularization. Results: At final examination, the dexamethasone, bevacizumab 5.0 mg/day and dexamethasone + bevacizumab groups showed a significant lowering in corneal opacity score as compared with control ( P = 0.024, P = 0.006 and P = 0.013, respectively). Also, a significant reduction on new vessels size score was observed. Surface of corneal neovascularization was significantly reduced in dexamethasone, bevacizumab 5.0 mg/day and dexamethasone + bevacizumab groups compared with control ( P = 0.045, P = 0.047 and P = 0.044, respectively). Conclusion: Our study demonstrates the ability of a 5.0 mg/day bevacizumab subconjunctival injection, in monotherapy or associated with dexamethasone, to cause a short‐term involution of corneal neovascularization after corneal alkali burn. Combination of both of these treatments may have advantages to monotherapy approaches.