Wound healing after glaucoma filtering surgery - a review

Wound healing after glaucoma filtering surgery is characterized by a comple x sequence of molecular and cellular events. Results bf recent investigatio ns have shown that the activation, migration, proliferation and differentia tion of Tenon's capsule fibroblasts represents the central element of the w ound healing response, An exaggerated;wound healing will result in the clos ure of the artificial fistula between the anterior chamber and the subconju nctival space, leading to an increase in intraocular pressure. The present review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the most important cellul ar and molecular mechanisms, which regulate the postsurgical wound healing response in the subconjunctival space. Special emphasis will be put on the specific role of cytokines during the wound healing response. An extensive understanding of these mechanisms appears pivotal for the development of sp ecific therapeutic strategies to inhibit the events which lead to fibrogene sis and scarring in the wound region after glaucoma filtration surgery. The databank was Medline.