https://doi.org/10.1177/1120672119874947 European Journal of Ophthalmology 1–5 © The Author(s) 2019 Article reuse guidelines: sagepub.com/journals-permissions DOI: 10.1177/1120672119874947 journals.sagepub.com/home/ejo EJO European Journal of Ophthalmology Introduction A normal cornea is avascular; however, under certain condi- tions capillaries may invade from the limbal vascular plexus causing corneal neovascularization. A wide variety of insults including inflammations, corneal ulcers, ischemia, degenera- tions, contact lenses, trauma, limbal stem cell deficiency, and chemical/ thermal burns can cause corneal neovasculariza- tion. 1,2 Corneal neovascularization may not only significantly decrease visual acuity, but also may increase the chance of graft rejection after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). 3–5 Depending on the time of onset and chronicity, there are multiple strategies for the treatment of corneal neovascu- larization. Medical treatment modalities include steroids, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, cyclosporine, bevacizumab, ranibizumab, tacrolimus, TNFα inhibitors, heparin, and so on. 2,6 None of them is free of adverse effects and because of poor compliance, patients may dis- continue their use. Regression of corneal neovascularization: Adiponectin versus bevacizumab eye drops Alireza Baradaran-Rafii 1 , Azin Ashnagar 1 , Saeed Heidari Keshel 2 , Sayena Jabbehdari 3 and Ghazaleh Baradaran-Rafii 4 Abstract Purpose: Comparing the effect of adiponectin versus bevacizumab in decreasing corneal neovascularization. Methods: This study was conducted on 30 eyes of 30 New Zealand Albino male rabbits. Corneal neovascularization was induced by a single 7-0 silk suture 2 mm long and 1 mm in front of the limbus for 2 weeks. Rabbits were randomly divided into three groups of adiponectin (20 µg/mL), bevacizumab (5 mg/mL) and artificial tears. The treatments continued up to 14 days. Results: At the end of 14 days, the average length of vessels in rabbits treated with adiponectin, bevacizumab and control groups decreased from 2.12 ± 0.32 mm to 0.89 ± 0.46 mm (57.68% ± 19.98%) (P < 0.001), 2.30 ± 0.41 mm to 1.30 ± 0.58 mm (42.49% ± 27.17%) (P = 0.048) and from 2.12 ± 0.44 mm to 1.81 ± 0.42 mm (14.81% ± 5.64%) (P = 0.112), respectively. The length of vessels decreased 57.68% ± 19.98% and 42.49% ± 27.17% in adiponectin versus bevacizumab groups, respectively (P = 0.527). The average surface area of vessels in rabbits treated with adiponectin, bevacizumab and control groups reduced from 5.02 ± 1.50 mm 2 to 1.40 ± 0.75 mm 2 (70.64% ± 17.76%) (P < 0.001) 0.34 ± 1.1 mm 2 to 2.80 ± 1.04 mm 2 (48.24% ± 19.23%) (P = 0.039) and 5.12 ± 2.92 mm 2 to 4.4 ± 2.55 mm 2 (14.68% ± 4.19%) (P = 0.117). Mean surface area of vascularization decreased 70.64% ± 17.76% and 48.24% ± 19.23% in adiponectin versus bevacizumab, respectively (P = 0.013). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that topical adiponectin can decrease recent corneal neovascularization. Keywords Bevacizumab, adiponectin, corneal neovascularization, animal model Date received: 7 March 2019; revised: 4 August 2019; accepted: 17 August 2019 1 Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2 Proteomics Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 3 Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA 4 School of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Corresponding author: Azin Ashnagar, Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, No. 23, Paidarfard St., Boostan 9 St., Pasdaran Ave, Tehran, 16666, Iran. Email: azin_ashnagar2@yahoo.com 874947EJO 0 0 10.1177/1120672119874947European Journal of OphthalmologyBaradaran-Rafii et al. research-article 2019 Original research article