Abstract

P 190

Bevacizumab (Avastin^®) eye drops do not influence corneal wound healing

Bock F., Onderka J., Dietrich T., Bachmann B., Kruse F. E., Cursiefen C.
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen

Objective: Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a recombinant, humanized, monoclonal anti-VEGF antibody. Avastin eye drops potently inhibit corneal angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. Purpose of this study was to analyze whether Avastin eye drops affect corneal wound healing.
Methods: In a mouse model of corneal epithelial erosion we analyzed the effects of topically applied Bevacizumab. The central 1.5 mm of corneal epithelium was scraped off and the right eye received Bevacizumab (5 mg/ml; every 2h) as eye drops. Control eyes (left eye) received an equal volume of saline solution. After 12, 18 and 24h corneas were photographed in vivo with and without fluorescein. Afterwards the mice were sacrificed and eyes were removed for histology, electronic microscopy and immunohistochemistry with Ki 67/DAPI.
Results: The anti-angiogenic drug Bevacizumab had no impact on the wound healing process after corneal epithelial erosion. Epithelial cells showed no morphological alteration and were not restrained in proliferation. Ultra structural analysis showed no significant differences between treated and untreated corneas.
Conclusions: Topical application of Bevacizumab eye drops at the cornea does not seem to have significant side-effects on corneal (epithelial) wound healing and therefore could be used for anti-angiogenic therapies in the presence of epithelial defects (e.g. post-keratoplasty).

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