CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION occurs through inordinate wound healing after infection, injury or surgery. NEOVASCULARIZATION is formation of new vascular structures in the locations which had not already vessels. The two overlapping mechanisms including vasculogenesis and angiogenesis are probably involved in NEOVASCULARIZATION process, and the last mechanism is more involved in tumor growth and CORNEAL and retinal disorders. In fact, CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION is a visual threatening status that usually occurs along with inflammatory or infectious disorders of the eye surface. The studies of angiogenesis-related cancer showed that there is a balance between angiogenic factors (such as VEGF and FGF) and antiangiogenic molecules (such as angiostatin, endostatin and pigment epithelium-derived factor; EPDF) in cornea. Problems such as inflammation, infection, injury and lesions result in CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION, which are due to stimulation of angiogenesis in this tissue. CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION may be influenced by matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) and other proteolytic enzymes. The application of new medical and surgical therapies such as angiostatic steroids, non-steroidal anti inflammatory drugs, argon laser photocoagulation and photodynamic therapy (PDT) in animal models had been efficient to some extent for inhibition of CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION. In this study we reviewed NEOVASCULARIZATION-dependent CORNEAL disorders and molecular processes involved in this disorder, and also their potential therapies.

Purpose: To compare the effect of adiponectin versus bevacizumab on reducing CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION Methods: This study was performed on 40 eyes of 20 New Zealand Albino male rabbits. CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION was induced by a 7-0 silk suture 2mm long and 1 mm away from the limbus. Rabbits were randomly divided into two groups of ten. In the first group, adiponectin eye drop and artificial tears were administered in the right and left eyes, respectively. In the second group, adiponectin eye drop was applied in the right eye and bevacizumab eye drop was used in the left eye for 14 days. The rabbits were examined regularly. Imaging was performed at each visit. The area of CORNEAL vascularization and the length of vessels were measured and compared.Results: At the end of 14 days, the average length of vessels in the rabbits treated with adiponectin decreased from 2.12 ± 0.32 mm to 0.89 ± 0.46 mm, (57.68 ± 19.98% decrease; 1.24 ± 0.51mm) (P<0.001). The length of vessels were decreased by 57.68% ± 19.98% and 42.49% ± 27.17% in the adiponectin and bevacizumab groups, respectively (P=0.527). At the end of 14 days, the average surface area of vessels in the rabbits treated with adiponectin reduced from 5.02±1.50 mm2 to 1.40 ±0.75 mm2 (%70.64 ± 17.76 decrease; 3.63±1.57 mm2) (P<0.001).The mean surface area of vascularization was decreased by 70.64% ±17.76% and 48.24% ±19.23% in the adiponectin versus bevacizumab group, respectively (P=0.013).Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that adiponectin can potentially decrease youn CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION. Its effect seems to be at least comparable to bevacizumab.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of propranolol, timolol and bevacizumab with betamethasone to prevent CORNEAL NEOVASCULARIZATION (CNV) in rabbits. This study was performed on 28 male rabbits. CNV was induced by three 7-0 silk sutures 2 mm long and 1 mm distal to the limbus. Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of propranolol + betamethasone, timolol + betamethasone and bevacizumab + betamethasone and betamethasone alone. Eye drops were started from the first day of study. On 7th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 35th and 42nd days, vascular progression, time of NEOVASCULARIZATION and vascular area were evaluated and compared with the control group (betamethasone alone). There was a significant reduction in the area of NEOVASCULARIZATION in the timolol and bevacizumab groups compared to the control group (P-value = 0. 05, P=0. 047, respectively). Also, regarding vascular progression, there was a significant decrease in the timolol and bevacizumab groups (P-value = 0. 014, P=0. 002, respectively). Regarding delayed onset of NEOVASCULARIZATION, there was a significant difference in the timolol and bevacizumab group in rabbits (P-value = 0. 04, P=0. 00, respectively). In conclusion, the use of timolol and bevacizumab drops besides betamethasone can delay NEOVASCULARIZATION and decrease the length of CORNEAL vascularization in rabbits...