Background: Corneal neovascularization (CN) might be a sight-threatening condition via reducing the corneal transparency. One of the most significant proangiogenic factors is vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) that is shown to be upregulated in CN. Accordingly, we aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of aflibercept, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab in CN in a rat model.

Material and methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar-Albino rats were administered general anesthesia. 2-mm-diameter central burns were formed on the corneas. Rats were divided into four groups randomly, and one group was administered subconjunctival saline solution as the control group. Subconjunctival aflibercept, bevacizumab, and ranibizumab were applied to the other three groups, respectively. Three rats from each group were randomly selected, and digital photographs of the corneas were taken under general anesthesia. Then, rats were euthanized, and eyes were enucleated one week and one month after the corneal injury. Three enucleated eyes from each group were prepared for histological evaluation with hematoxylin and eosin.

Results: According to the first week results, there was no central CN in all groups except the control group. There was no statistically significant difference in total CN among the groups according to the Kruskal-Wallis test (p = 0.09). The control group had a higher inflammation score than the other groups in the central cornea. On the other hand, the control group had less intense fibrosis than the other groups in the central cornea. In the first month, there was a spontaneous regression in central CN in the control group. There was again no statistical difference among the groups regarding the CN (p = 0.46). There was no inflammation in the central cornea in any groups.

Conclusion: single-dose subconjunctival injection of aflibercept, ranibizumab, and bevacizumab prevents the
central CN and reduces the inflammation.