Anti--vascular endothelial growth factor therapy in glaucoma filtration surgery

Abstract

Purpose: To examine evidence supporting the use of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibition in controlling wound healing after glaucoma filtration surgery in primary open-angle glaucoma, to identify the optimum method of administration, and to clarify the potential position of anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies in comparison with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C.

Design: Perspective based on an overview of evidence from current peer-reviewed literature.

Methods: Analysis of evidence from animal studies, in vitro studies, human studies, and from the use of anti-VEGF monoclonal antibodies in systemic disease.

Results: There is evidence that glaucoma patients have elevated levels of VEGF in the aqueous before filtration surgery, that this increases in animals after filtration surgery, and that both can be suppressed in animals by intraocular injection of bevacizumab. VEGF not only has a role in angiogenesis, but also has a direct action on fibroblast activity that may be modified directly at the time of filtration surgery.

Conclusions: There is evidence for a role for VEGF in wound healing after glaucoma filtration surgery. The optimum route of administration and dosing regimen of anti-VEGF antibodies and their positioning in comparison with 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C are uncertain. There is some evidence that subconjunctival injection may produce sustained intraocular tissue levels. There is also evidence that bevacizumab may act in synergy with 5-fluorouracil. Although there are no direct comparative studies, it seems unlikely that bevacizumab alone will be as effective as mitomycin C, although bleb morphologic features may be better.