Abstract

Inhibition of fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor signalling pathways is effective in causing vessels regression in pinguecula. Regression of aberrant conjunctival vessels was documented 2 weeks after topical administration of ocular drops of dobesilate twice a day. At 2-months follow-up no recurrence nor ocular irritation were noted.

Keywords: Pinguecula; Dobesilate; Fibroblast Growth Factor; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor

Introduction

Pinguecula is an inflammatory and angiogenesis condition affecting conjunctiva [1-4]. Solar damage due to ultraviolet radiation is implicated in the development of pinguecula. It has been reported that dobesilate is a well-characterized inhibitor of Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) signalling pathways in inflammatory and angiogenesis related conditions [5-7]. Thus, dobesilate is a good candidate for treating inflammation and angiogenesis-dependent diseases. In this report we assess the efficacy of dobesilate eye drops in a patient with pinguecula.

Case Presentation

A 48-year-old female presented with pinguecula in the nasal side of her right eye. This study was performed with patient consent after the Ethical Committee approval of our Institution. The patient was given a sterile eye drops bottle containing dobesilate (2.5 mg/ml) for a 2 weeks self-administration (1 drop/twice a day). At baseline, an intense vascularization in the conjunctiva was observed (Fig. 1). After treatment (Fig. 1) scattered residual vessels of pinguecula was depicted. At 2-month follow-up no recurrence of vascularization was noted.

Figure 1: Aspect of pinguecula before and after treatment with ocular drops of dobesilate for two weeks.

Discussion

We present a case of pinguecula that displays prominent vascularization treated with dobesilate. The treatment decreased conjunctival vascularization. Dobesilate, is a medicament which has been used since the sixties, showing a safe profile as powerful inhibitor of FGF and VEGF [8].

It also shows powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic activities in patients with inflammatory and angiogenic conditions [9,10]. Thus, it seems obvious that these activities may, at least in part, contribute to the improvement of pinguecula, observed after the dobesilate treatment described in the present report.

Conclusion

We describe the efficacy of dobesilate to treat pinguecula topically. These results open new avenues for treating corneal inflammatory and angiogenesis-dependent diseases.

Conflict of Interest

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

Funding Statement

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or non-profit sectors.

Acknowledgement

None.

Data Availability Statement

Not applicable.

Ethical Statement

The project did not meet the definition of human subject research under the purview of the IRB according to federal regulations and therefore was exempt.

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was taken for this study.

Authors’ Contributions

All authors contributed equally to this paper.

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