Subconjunctival bevacizumab immediately after excision of primary pterygium: the first clinical trial.

Author(s): Shenasi A, Mousavi F, Shoa-Ahari S, Rahimi-Ardabili B, Fouladi RF.

Affiliation(s): Department of Ophthalmology, Nikookari Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Publication date & source: 2011, Cornea. , 30(11):1219-22

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of subconjunctival bevacizumab immediately after excision of primary pterygium. METHODS: Eighty patients (80 eyes) with primary pterygium were included in this double-blind clinical trial. The pterygia were excised by the bare sclera technique. Then, the patients were randomized in 2 equal groups; group A received subconjunctival bevacizumab (1.25 mg/0.1 mL) injected immediately after surgical excision of the pterygium, and placebo was administered in the same way in group B. Patients were followed-up for 9 months after the operation, and the possible complications and recurrence rate were documented. Thirty-three patients (33 eyes) completed the study in each group. RESULTS: The rate of complications was comparable between the 2 groups (57.6% in group A versus 63.6% in group B; P = 0.61). None of these complications was clinically significant, and they resolved spontaneously or by using conservative measures. The recurrence rate was higher in group B compared with group A (57.6% vs. 45.5%); however, this difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.33; odds ratio, 1.63; 95% confidence interval, 0.62-4.31). CONCLUSIONS: Subconjunctival injection of bevacizumab immediately after surgical excision of primary pterygium is well-tolerated, but it cannot significantly prevent the recurrence of this condition.