A Randomized Controlled Prospective Study to Assess the role of Subconjunctival Bevacizumab in Preventing Recurrence in Primary Pterygium Excision

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of subconjuctival bevacizumab on preventing the recurrence in primary pterygium excision Methods: This randomized, placebo controlled clinical trial was conducted on 40 eyes of 40 patients attending the ophthalmology OPD,Rajindra Hospital Patiala, randomized to Group 1 (bevacizumab) 20 patients and Group 2(balanced salt solution) 20 patients. Group 1 underwent pterygium excision and received a total of 0.5ml subconjuctival bevacizumab( 2.5mg/0.1ml on the day of surgery). Group 2 received balanced salt solution in the same manner. Recurrence defined as any fibrovascular tissue crossing the limbus, and the number of patients with >1.5mm fibrovascular overgrowth on the cornea were compared between the study groups. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the groups for all measured variables except for the statistically significant rise in IOP in group 1 at the one week visit. Four patients in each group at the threeand six-month visits, respectively, had more than 1.5 mm fibrovascular tissue overgrowth on the cornea . Four eyes in group 1 and 2 experienced recurrence(p=1) at month 3 and thereafter. Conclusion: Subconjuctival Bevacizumab had no significant effect on the recurrence rate of primary pterygium excision and was not associated with any adverse effects.