Recurrent pterygia: the struggle goes on… subconjuntival bevacizumab

Poster Details

First Author: J.Rosendo PORTUGAL

Co Author(s):    O. Berens   J. Carvalho   A. Rebelo   K. Sousa   P. Ramos   A. Candeias

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To evaluate clinical outcomes and complications of suconjuntival bevacizumab in patients with impending recurrent pterygia

Setting:

A retrospective, clinical study performed in 10 eyes, with recurrent pterygia

Methods:

The charts of 10 patients with recurrent pterygia, who received subconjuntival injections of bevacizumab(2.5 mg/0.1ml) were retrospectively reviewed. Inclusion criteria included previous pterygium surgery in the affected eye, recurrent pterygium growth of more than 2mm over the clear cornea horizontally from the limbus, recurrent pterygium growth lesser than 2mm, but with associated symptoms and no signs of other significant pathologies or active diseases. Variations in size, erythema and associated symptoms,in the period before and three months after the injection, were collected. Data concerning early postoperative complications, such as pain, hemorrhage, photofobia, tearing and infection were also recorded.

Results:

In erythema there was a decrease in 6 cases, increase in 2 cases and maintenance in 2 cases; In size there was a decrease in 3 cases, increase in 3 cases and maintenance in 4 cases. In associated symptoms there was a decrease in 7 cases, maintenance in 3 and 0 cases of increased sintomatology. 2 cases of subconjuntival hemorrhage, 1 of photofobia, 3 cases of tearing and 1 case of pain were recorded on the first day after the injections. No patient in this study experienced any systemic side effect.

Conclusions:

Subconjuntival bevacizumab may have some positive effect in treatment of pterygia. Short-term results suggest that subconjuntival bevacizumab is well tolerated, with a good safety profile. Data about the use of subconjuntival bevacizumab in the treatment of pterygia are not conclusive, and should be further investigated in a prospective randomized clinical trial with a bigger sample size and a longer follow-up. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE?: No