Antivascular endothelial growth factors in anterior segment diseases

Proangiogenic growth factors, mainly VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) play a significant role in anterior segment diseases, characterized by neovascularization. Newly grown vessels in the cornea can lead to an impairment of transparency and visual acuity. Neovascularization of the iris (rubeosis iridis) and the anterior chamber angle are caused by ischemic retinopathies, usually leading to neovascular glaucoma with serious loss of vision. A pterygium is characterized, amongst others, by fibrovascular proliferation and may have vision threatening consequences if left untreated. Several antiangiogenic drugs have evolved in the last decade, mainly used for the treatment of choroidal neovascularization in age-related macular degeneration. Bevacizumab though, is also widely used off-label, in topic form or as an intracameral injection, to treat anterior segment neovascularization with encouraging results.