Corneal Pannus – best treatment options
The treatment of inferior corneal pannus depends on its underlying cause and severity. Here are some of the best approaches to treating this condition:
- Address the underlying cause: The first step is to identify and treat the root cause of the pannus, which could be contact lens wear, chronic inflammation, infection, dry eyes or other factors
- Discontinue contact lens use: If contact lenses are the cause, discontinuing their use or switching to lenses with higher gas permeability may help resolve the issue
- Topical anti-inflammatory medications: Corticosteroids and/or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are often used as first-line treatments to reduce inflammation and prevent further vessel growth
- Anti-VEGF agents: Topical or subconjunctival administration of anti-VEGF medications like bevacizumab or ranibizumab has shown promising results in reducing corneal neovascularization, although this is still considered experimental
- Oral medications: In some cases, oral doxycycline (a matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor) combined with topical corticosteroids may help suppress neovascularization
- Laser therapy: For more persistent cases, argon or Nd:YAG laser treatment can be used to occlude invading blood vessels.
- Surgical interventions: In severe cases that don’t respond to medical treatments, surgical options like diathermy of large feeding vessels or limbal grafting may be considered
It’s important to note that corneal pannus is a chronic progressive disorder that cannot be cured completely. The goal of treatment is to control and potentially regress the lesions to preserve vision and corneal health. The best treatment approach should be determined by an ophthalmologist based on the individual case, considering factors such as the extent of the pannus, its cause, and the patient’s overall eye health.