Prevention of Corneal Neovascularization

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of topically administered agents doxycycline, triamcinolone, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), and flurbiprofen on experimental corneal neovascularization in rats. Chemical cauterization of cornea was performed in 36 eyes of 36 rats by using silver nitrate/potassium nitrate sticks. Topical instillation of doxycycline, triamcinolone, LMWH, flurbiprofen, and normal saline solution was continued for 7 days. Percent areas of cornea covered by neovascularization and covered by scar in each group were calculated by use of computer software on digital photographs. Groups were compared for any significant (P < 0.05) differences among them. The means of percent area of corneal neovascularization in triamcinolone, doxycycline, flurbiprofen, LMWH, and control groups were 13.3%, 35.5%, 50.6%, 66.7%, and 74.9%, respectively. The triamcinolone and doxycycline groups were different from control group (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the percent area of neovascularization between the LMWH and flurbiprofen groups compared with the controls. Although the effects of LMWH and flurbiprofen were not significant, there seemed to be a trend, and the lack of significance may be related to small sample size. Because the mechanisms of action of these agents are not identical to each other, performing other studies using combinations of them seems to be reasonable. There were no significant differences in percent area of corneal scar among groups. Topical instillation of commercially available triamcinolone and doxycycline seems to diminish corneal neovascularization caused by chemical cauterization of cornea in rats.