655. Gene Therapy for Inhibition of Corneal Neovascularization in a Mice Model with Endostatin Delivered by Adeno-Associated Viral (AAV) Vector

Corneal neovascularization (NV) is usually associated with inflammatory or infectious disorders of the ocular surface and often accompanied by stromal edema, lipid deposits, keratitis, or scarring. All of which frequently results in vision impairment or blindness. Pathological angiogenesis is also thought to predispose to the reflection of corneal allografts by facilitating the exposure of antigens in the donor cornea to the immune system. Many medical and surgical treatments, including angiostatic steroid, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent, argon laser photocoagulation, photodynamic therapy, and limbal stem cell transplantation have been effective in animal or human models in inhibition of corneal neovascularization. However, anti-angiogenic therapy needed to be further investigated for effective treatment against actively growing and established corneal neovascularization.