Corneal thinning following bevacizumab intrastromal injection for the treatment of idiopathic lipid keratopathy

PURPOSE: To describe the occurrence of corneal thinning in a patient following intrastromal injection of bevacizumab to treat lipid keratopathy. OBSERVATIONS: A 36-year-old female presented with decreased vision in her right eye with central posterior corneal haze and underwent a treatment regimen including artificial tears, cyclosporine 0.05% drops, prednisolone 1% and oral Valacyclovir 1g with no improvement. Neovascularization was noted at 18 months follow up and treated with intrastromal bevacizumab injections at 24 months. The feeder vessel was attenuated at 3- and 6-months post-injection, but tomography indicated sustained thinning and flattening of the cornea at the injection site contributing to the development of irregular astigmatism. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: Corneal thinning is an uncommon potential side effect of intrastromal bevacizumab injection that may affect postoperative visual acuity.