The effect of subconjuctival combined treatment of bevacizumab and triamcinolone acetonide on corneal neovascularization in rabbits.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effect of subconjunctival combined treatment of bevacizumab and triamcinolone on corneal neovascularization in rabbits.

METHODS

Corneal neovascularization was induced by placing a suture at the both eyes of 15 rabbits. After the suture removal, rabbits were divided into 3 groups. The right eyes in group 1 (n = 5) were administered a subconjunctival injection of both bevacizumab and triamcinolone. The right eyes in group 2 (n = 5) and group 3 (n = 5) had bevacizumab and triamcinolone, respectively. The left eyes in 3 groups (n = 15) were used as controls. Two weeks later, digital photographs were taken and analyzed to determine the area of corneal neovascularization. The level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin (IL)-6 in corneal tissue were measured.

RESULTS

Analysis of digital photographs showed that there was less corneal neovascularization in three groups than in control (P < 0.001). The area of corneal neovascularization in groups 1 and 2 was less than in group 3 (P = 0.027 between groups 1 and 3, P = 0.045 between groups 2 and 3). The concentrations of VEGF and IL-6 were significantly lower in 3 groups than in control (P < 0.001, P = 0.023). The level of VEGF in groups 1 and 2 was less than in group 3 (P = 0.009 between groups 1 and 3, P = 0.045 between groups 2 and 3). For IL-6, there was no intergroup difference.

CONCLUSION

Combined treatment with both bevacizumab and triamcinolone showed significant regression of corneal neovascularization. However, combined treatment failed to show significant superiority in the treatment of corneal neovascularization, compared to bevacizumab therapy alone.