Cortisone, heparin and argon laser in the treatment of corneal neovascularization

Chemical burns and contact lenses can induce corneal neovascularization. The pathogenic mechanisms of angiogenesis are not well understood. A heparin-cortisone combination has been shown to inhibit traumatic angiogenesis and argon laser photocoagulation has been useful in the treatment of corneal graft neovascularization. We describe three patients treated for corneal neovascularization with these methods. Tear fluid plasmin levels were also monitored. The corneal neovascularization was caused by contact lens use in two patients, and by a severe chemical burn in one patient. Subconjunctival cortisone injections proved to be efficient in the treatment of the contact lens induced corneal neovascularization. Corneal argon laser photocoagulation seemed to have an additional effect. The role of topical heparin remained unclear. The tear fluid plasmin levels were not significantly elevated.