Strategies for Management of Corneal Neovascularisation
Status:
Unknown status
Trial end date:
2018-08-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
The cornea is the transparent window of the eye, which allows light to enter into the eye and
also contributes to the focusing of the light rays. One of the major factors responsible for
its transparency is the lack of blood vessels. However, following inflammation new blood
vessels (corneal vascularisation [CVas]) grow into the cornea affecting its transparency and
impairing vision. CVas leads to further damage in the form of scarring,oedema,fat deposition
and is a major cause of corneal graft rejection.
In 2000 with ethical approval (OY129801) the investigators developed and published a clinical
technique called Fine Needle Diathermy occlusion of corneal vessels (FND). This has proven
very successful for occluding established vessels and is practiced in many centers across the
world. Recently it has been demonstrated that by inhibiting a chemical stimulant of vessel
formation called vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) active new vessel growth in the
retina can be suppressed. The approach is also being used for corneal new vessels.
Bevacizumab (Avastin) is a chemical inhibitor of VEGF and is used extensively to treat
retinal new vessels in macular degeneration. Avastin has been shown to be effective and safe
in treating corneal new vessels. The investigators propose to evaluate the efficacy and
safety of FND alone and FND combined with Avastin in treatment of CVas.