Effect of Octreotide on experimental corneal neovascularization

Purpose:To examine the ability of subcutaneously administered Octreotide ( a long acting somatostatin analogue) to serve as an inhibitory agent for co rneal neovascularization in eyes of Wistar Albino rats. Methods: Neovascular growth into the corneas of all the animals was induced by silver nitrate cauterization. Half of the animals which were randomly s elected for the Octreotide group received 30 micrograms systemic Octreotide for 7 days. The treatment was initiated on the same day as chemical cauter ization. The rest of the animals (control group) received no treatment. Sli t lamp and histopathologic examination of the corneas of both groups were p erformed at the end of the study period. Results: It was observed that the corneal neovascularization and histopatol ogic scores of the Octreotide group were significantly lower than those of the control group (p<0.001, p<0.01). Conclusion: Systemic administration of Octreotide inhibits the corneal neov ascular response in a rat model.