Background:To evaluate functional efficacy of subconjunctival bevacizumab in cases of corneal neovascularization Design: Prospective comparative study Material & Methods: Fifty cases of corneal NV who are relatively resistant to all conventional modes of medical and surgical management were included in this prospective study conducted in our OPD. The conventional modes of medical treatment was more than 6 weeks of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and low potency steroids. A standard clinical proforma was filled in all cases for analytical study which included visual acuity recording, pre-injection digital photograph, recording of corneal vessel extent and diameter. All patients underwent subconjunctival bevacizumab 1.25mg (0.05 ml) under topical medication close to the corneal limbus near the corneal NV. The patients were followed up after 2 weeks and then again after 6 weeks. Results: The study of vessel extent showed that the vessels had regressed completely in 3 cases, while only marginal reduction in grades of vessel extent was seen in other categories (statistically significant p=0.000).The analysis of the vessel diameter and inflammation revealed that there was complete reduction of vessel in 3 cases, however only marginal reduction in grades of vessel diameter and inflammation was seen in other categories (statistically significant p=0.000). Analysis of visual acuity showed only marginal improvement in 7 cases out of 50(statistically significant p=0.000). Conclusions: This study concludes that subconjunctival bevacizumab (anti-VEGF agent) is a new and effective modality of reducing the corneal vascularization.

Keywords: Subconjunctival bevacizumab, Corneal vascularization