Studying the effect of intrastromal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections on corneal neovascularization using optical coherence tomography angiography

Purpose To evaluate the effect of intrastromal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (Anti-VEGF) on corneal neovascularization using spectral domain Optical coherence tomography angiography imaging (OCTA). Patients and methods This is a pilot study that was conducted on 10 eyes of 10 patients with corneal neovascularization who were planned for keratoplasty or after keratoplasty. Intrastromal injection of 5 mg/0.2 ml [2.5%] bevacizumab using a 30 Gauge needle was performed. OCTA was done 48 h before the injection, 1 week and 1 month after the injection. OCTA images were compared to evaluate the effect of Anti-VEGF on corneal neovascularization. Results Comparing the OCTA pictures with the preoperative period, at 1 week period, 9 cases have shown decreased corneal neovascularization, with only 1 case that has not changed and seemed to be unresponsive to the single injection of Anti-VEGF. At 1 month period, 8 cases re-vascularized again but none of them reached the preoperative level, 1 case had decreased vascularization (completely disappeared) and 1 case remained the same with no change. Conclusion A single injection of bevacizumab has a temporal effect on corneal neovascularization. No local or systemic complications have been noted. OCTA was able to visualize vessels in 3-D image, even under vascularized corneal scars. OCTA was able to recognize subtle changes in corneal neovascularization that were not visible by slit lamp.