Topical bevacizumab and ocular surface neovascularization in patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical bevacizumab on ocular surface neovascularization among patients with Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Methods: This was a retrospective, interventional case report. Three eyes of 2 patients were examined. Bevacizumab (25 mg/mL) eyedrops were applied 4 times daily for a period of 3 months. Main outcome measures were improvement of symptoms, visual acuity, degree of ocular surface neovascularization, corneal opacification, conjunctival injection, and occurrence of adverse events. Results: Both patients completed the 3-month observation period and reported that it significantly improved ocular comfort. At the end of the study period, visual acuity improved in all 3 eyes; all eyes were observed to have decreased ocular surface neovascularization, corneal opacification, and conjunctival injection. No serious adverse events were reported. Conclusions: Topical bevacizumab is well tolerated and may be effective in improving comfort and inducing regression of ocular surface neovascularization, conjunctival injection, and corneal opacification in patients with ocular surface disease caused by Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Further controlled and long-term studies are needed to fully evaluate the long-term effects of this novel treatment.