CORNEAL WOUND-HEALING AND THE ROLE OF GROWTH-FACTORS

The cornea, as avascular tissue, demonstrates unique healing propertie s. Healing of the cornea involves a complex coordination of cellular a ctivities stimulated and regulated by peptide growth factors that reac h the wound through tears and limbic vessels. Experimental investigati ons have elucidated the role of several growth factors, including epid ermal growth factor, transforming growth factor alpha, transforming gr owth factor beta, and platelet-derived growth factor, in healing of th e normal cornea. Early clinical trials using exogenous growth factors on corneal wounds (both normal and healing-impaired) in humans and dog s suggest that growth factors may have potential as a means of treatin g corneal wounds. It is important for the clinician to understand the physiology of corneal wound healing. If exogenous growth factors becom e available in the future, an appreciation of the rationale for use of these growth factors could greatly enhance the clinician's ability to preserve vision.