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 report a new case of isolated subretinal NEOVASCULARIZATION and coloboma in a young man.Patient and findings: A 27-years-old man was referred with decreased visual acuity in his left eye. Indirect ophthalmoscopy revealed large retinochoroidal with subretinal hemorhage. Fluorescein angiography revealed a subretinal neovascular membrane adjacent to the coloboma. The visual acuity improved after treatment with laser photocoagulation.Conclusion: Subretinal NEOVASCULARIZATION with retinochoroidal coloboma is very rare, but in patients with retinochoroidal coloboma with decreased vision, subretinal NEOVASCULARIZATION should be considered, and photocoagulation should be done as soon as possible.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of laser therapy in patients with choroidal neovasculatization refering to Labbafinejad medical center during 1994-99. Materials and methods: This descriptive study was based on existing data. By review of patients records, the following information were extracted: age, sex, job, corrected visual acuity before and after laser therapy (in the last follow up), the status of fundus appearance, some of known risk factors, and angiographic findings. The patients were divided into 3 groups; subfoveal, extrafoveal, and juxtafoveal based on location of choroidal NEOVASCULARIZATION. Statistical analysis of data performed using computer data base. Results: Most of the patients were male, mean follow up was 9.25 months (9.25± 12.97), mean age of patients was 55/6 (14-79) years. Overall in all 3 groups after macular photocoagulation, final visual acuity increased, but the difference was not statistically significant(p< 0.29). The mean visual acuity increased from 198/1000 to 257/1000 after a mean follow up of 9.25 months. In 9 eyes (34.6%) with subfoveal involvement the mean visual acuity raised trom 53/1000 to 57/1000 during a mean follow up of 14 (14±19) months (p< 0.54), in 10 eyes (38.4%) with extrafoveal involvement the mean visual acuity raised from 373/1000 to 402/1000 after a mean follow up 7 (7±6.4) months (p< 0.70), and in 7 eyes (27%) with juxtafoveal involvement, the mean visual acuity raised from 137/1000 to 310/1000 during a mean follow up of 6 (6±5.9) months (p< 0.37). The most frequent risk factor was age-related macular degeneration. Conclusion: Although the results of macular photocoagulation for choroidal NEOVASCULARIZATION are still disappointing, it may prevent further decrease in visual acuity in some selected patients.

We report a case with a left atrial mass who underwent coronary angiography to rule out coronary artery disease. Coronary angiography revealed an anomalous tortuous vascular structure originating from the left circumflex coronary artery to the left atrial tumor suggestive of NEOVASCULARIZATION. Preoperative coronary angiography is useful for coronary artery evaluation and also provides additional information regarding the feeding vessel supplying the mass.

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.