Effect of Subconjunctival Injection of Bevacizumab in Preventing Recurrence of Pterygium before and after Surgical Removal

Elnahas, Hussien Salah Eldin; Elgharieb, Mervat Elshabrawy; Gaballah, Amr Abdelfattah; Ahmed, Ahmed Ragab Hafez

doi:10.21608/ejhm.2023.301580

Effect of Subconjunctival Injection of Bevacizumab in Preventing Recurrence of Pterygium before and after Surgical Removal

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

10.21608/ejhm.2023.301580

Abstract

Background: Recurrence, which is indicated by the expansion of fibrovascular tissue past the limbus and onto the cornea, is the main worry in pterygium surgery. Several techniques have been put forth to slow the pace of recurrence. Pterygium recurrences typically occur within the first three months following surgery.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a protocol based on applying two 2.5 mg/ml bevacizumab injections, before and after surgery, as adjuvant therapy of surgical pterygium excision to assess its role in preventing the recurrence of pterygium.
Patients and Methods: A randomized control study was conducted on 84 patients. Complete ophthalmic examinations were performed on all patients, including the following: history, visual acuity, slit lamp examination, intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement, fundus examination, and Refraction by Auto refractometer.
Results: The recurrence rate was significantly lower in the group that underwent pre- and postoperative bevacizumab injection. Moreover, we observed improvements in dimensions and vascularization of pterygium one week after the first subconjunctival injection. In our study, there were some postoperative complications; most of them in the pretreated group were related to pterygium surgery, such as subconjunctival hemorrhage, photophobia, and conjunctival injection. All of these complications occurred in both groups, but with the use of bevacizumab the field was less vascular, and the subconjunctival hemorrhage was less remarkable in the pretreated group than in the control group.
Conclusion: Dimensions and vascularization of pterygium significantly decreased one week after the first subconjunctival bevacizumab injection. The recurrence rate was significantly decreased in the group that underwent pre- and postoperative bevacizumab injection.

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