Research Information System
Arquivos Brasileiros De Oftalmologia, vol.1, pp.1, 2022 (SCI-Expanded)
ABSTRACT | Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare
the effects of topical cyclosporine 0.1% and bevacizumab on
experimentally induced corneal neovascularization in a rat
model. Methods: A total of 30 adult Sprague-Dawley rats were
used in this experimental study. The central cornea of the rats
was cauterized chemically. The rats were randomly enrolled
into three groups as follows: Group 1 received bevacizumab
1%, Group 2 received cyclosporine 0.1%, and Group 3 received
isotonic saline twice a day for 28 days. Slit-lamp examination of
all rats was performed at the 3rd and 28th day. The rats were
then sacrificed, and the corneas were excised. The number of
blood vessels, state of inflammation, and collagen formation were
evaluated histopathologically in the corneal sections. Results:
Corneal opacity and edema grades were significantly lower
in Group 2 than in Group 3 (p=0.04 and 0.00, respectively).
In the histopathological examination, Group 2 demonstrated
significantly lesser number of blood vessels than Group 3
(p=0.001). Regarding collagen formation, Group 2 exhibited
more regular collagen formation than Groups 1 and 3 (p=0.03).
Inflammation grades were significantly lower in Groups 1 and
2 than in Group 3 (p=0.014 and 0.001, respectively). Conclusion: Topical bevacizumab is effective in inhibiting newly
formed corneal neovascularization. The topical cyclosporine
0.1% treatment appears to be more effective than the topical
bevacizumab treatment.