Comparison of Topical Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) with Topical Bevacizumab for Accelerating the Regression of Corneal Neovascularization in an Experimental Model of Rabbit Corneal Angiogenesis

Purpose: To evaluate the anti-angiogenic effect of topical administration of Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) on the reduction of corneal neovascularization (NV) in comparison to topical Bevacizumab. Methods: 18 eyes of 18 New Zealand rabbits were enrolled. Corneal NV was induced by a 7-0 silk suture. After suture removal, rabbits were randomly divided into three groups. In every group, one eye randomly treated with topical bevacizumab or topical PEDF or saline for 14 days. The area and length of neovascularization were measured by Image J. Histological studies were done in three groups. Results: After 14 days, the mean decrease of corneal NV length was 1.84 +/- 0.17 mm (P < .001) in PEDF group and 1.6 +/- 0.07 mm (P < .001) in bevacizumab group which was significantly more than the saline group (P = .001 and P < .001, respectively). There was no significant difference between PEDF and bevacizumab group in the reduction of corneal NV length (P = .85). The mean decrease of corneal NV area was 4.94 +/- 0.55 mm(2) (P < .001) in PEDF group and 4.23 +/- 0.29 mm(2) in the bevacizumab group (P < .001). PEDF and bevacizumab significantly decreased corneal NV area in comparison to the saline group (p = .017, p = .001, respectively). The mean decrease of corneal NV area did not show a significant difference between PEDF and bevacizumab groups (P = .72). Conclusion: Topical PEDF might be an effective and safe treatment option as bevacizumab in a short-term use, indicating that it is as good as the standard. However, long-term effect is required to be investigated.