Hyperosmolarity induces formation of NETs by neutrophils. This NETosis mechanism may explain the presence of excessive NETs on the ocular surface of patients with dry eye disease. Because they reduce hyperosmolarity-induced NETosis, FPR2 agonists may have therapeutic potential in these patients.

Excessive eDNA is present in tear fluid of patients with dry eyes. A novel therapeutic approach for managing DED may be to measure eDNA abundance in tear fluid with the PicoGreen dye assay and reduce excessive amounts with DNase I eyedrops.

ABSTRACT.Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different concentrations of topically administered bevacizumab (Avastin) on experimental corneal neovascularization (NV) in rats. Methods: Corneal NV was induced by chemical cauterization with silver nitrate sticks applied to the centre of the corneas of 37 Wistar rats. The rats were then randomized to four topical treatment groups: group 1 (n = 10) received 4 mg ⁄ ml bevacizumab; group 2 (n = 9) received 2 mg ⁄ ml bevacizumab; group 3 (n = 10) received 1 mg ⁄ ml bevacizumab, and group 4 (n = 8) represented a control group and received saline. All drops were initiated immediately after cauterization and applied twice per day for 7 days. Corneal NV was assessed 8 days after cauterization in a masked fashion, both qualitatively by clinical evaluation and quantitatively by blood vessel count in photographs of histological sections. Results: On clinical evaluation, groups 1 and 2 showed significantly less NV compared with the saline-treated control group (p = 0.006 and p = 0.024, respectively). Histopathological evaluation showed that only group 1 differed significantly from controls (5% significance level) and normal corneal epithelium was seen in all groups. Conclusions: Topically administered bevacizumab at a concentration of 4 mg ⁄ ml significantly reduces corneal NV according to both clinical and histopathological evaluations; lower concentrations were less effective on both parameters. No corneal epitheliopathy was found using these concentrations.