Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025
Implantation and Evaluation of Melanoma in the Murine Choroid via Optical Coherence Tomography
Published on: December 2, 2022
Initial outcomes of mitomycin intravascular chemoembolization (MICE) for corneal neovascularization
Michael Mimouni1,2, Dean Ouano3
1Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada. michael@intername.co.il.
Purpose:
To report on the preliminary outcomes of mitomycin C (MMC) intravascular chemoembolization (MICE) for corneal neovascularization (NV).
Methods:
This is a retrospective case series of three consecutive eyes that underwent MICE for progressive corneal NV with sight threatening lipid keratopathy. A 1.0 cc syringe was partially filled with MMC (0.4 mg/mL) and attached to a 33-gauge needle used to cannulate the vessels. The MMC (0.01-0.05 ml) was injected with enough retrograde hydrostatic force to fill efferent and afferent vessels. Follow-up ranged from 4 months to 1 year.
Results:
Three eyes of three patients aged 59, 73 and 33 years were included. There were no intraoperative or postoperative complications associated with the MICE procedure. Patient 1 presented with progressive corneal NV and lipid keratopathy secondary to herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) and a best-corrected spectacle visual acuity (BSCVA) of 20/100 Snellen. At one-year post-MICE, there was no recurrence (BSCVA was 20/20 Snellen). Patient 2 presented with idiopathic lipid keratopathy (BSCVA 20/50 Snellen). At four months post-MICE, there were no signs of recurrence (BSCVA 20/20 Snellen). Patient 3 presented with corneal NV and lipid keratopathy secondary to HZO (BSCVA 20/30 Snellen). At four months following two MICE treatments, resolution of the lipid keratopathy was noted (BSCVA 20/20 Snellen).
Conclusions:
Preliminary findings suggest that MICE may be an additional modality for treating progressive corneal NV with lipid keratopathy. Larger comparative studies with longer follow-up are warranted.
Insights
Mitomycin C (MMC) intravascular chemoembolization (MICE) effectively treated corneal neovascularization and lipid keratopathy in three patients. This innovative MICE procedure showed no complications and improved visual acuity, suggesting a promising new treatment option.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Vascular Biology
- Interventional Radiology
Background:
- Corneal neovascularization (NV) and associated lipid keratopathy pose significant threats to vision.
- Current treatment options for severe corneal NV may have limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the preliminary outcomes of mitomycin C (MMC) intravascular chemoembolization (MICE) for treating corneal neovascularization (NV).
- To assess the safety and efficacy of MICE in patients with sight-threatening lipid keratopathy.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case series of three eyes undergoing MICE for progressive corneal NV and lipid keratopathy.
- MMC (0.4 mg/mL) was injected intravascularly using a 33-gauge needle to fill afferent and efferent vessels.
- Follow-up ranged from 4 months to 1 year.
Main Results:
- No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed in the three treated eyes.
- All patients demonstrated significant visual acuity improvement post-MICE, with no recurrence during the follow-up period.
- Successful resolution of lipid keratopathy was achieved in one patient after two MICE treatments.
Conclusions:
- Mitomycin C (MMC) intravascular chemoembolization (MICE) shows potential as an additional treatment modality for corneal neovascularization (NV) with lipid keratopathy.
- Further larger comparative studies with extended follow-up are necessary to validate these preliminary findings.
