Short-term effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on the cornea
Reviewed by Khadijah Basheer

Bevacizumab has been extensively used to treat macula oedema and neovascularisation of the retina and it has also been useful in the management of corneal neovascular diseases. This prospective study aimed to provide more information on the effect bevacizumab may have on the cornea as there is little known about potential corneal toxicity compared to the retina. A higher dose of bevacizumab, 2.5mg/0.1ml was injected intravitreally into 43 eyes. The subjects and a control group were studied for one month and the following measurements were taken: central corneal thickness, intraocular pressure, simulated keratometry, anterior chamber depth and iridocorneal angle. No side-effects or corneal endothelial toxicity was observed and after one month there was no statistical difference in any of the above measurements. The authors conclude from this short study that a one off dose of intravitreal bevacizumab has no toxic effects on the cornea. However, the follow-up period was only one month, we do not know whether any later effects become apparent after one month, what occurs after multiple injections of bevacizumab or the effects of injecting bevacizumab into the cornea itself. More research into this area is needed to provide further confidence regarding the safety of bevacizumab on the cornea and anterior chamber structures.

Short term effects of intravitreal bevacizumab on the cornea.
Guler M, Capkin M, Simsek A, et al.
CURRENT EYE RESEARCH
2014;39(10):989-93.