title: Corneal neovascularization.
abstract: Corneal neovascularization (NV) is a sight-threatening condition usually associated with inflammatory or infectious disorders of the ocular surface. It has been shown in the field of cancer angiogenesis research that a balance exists between angiogenic factors (such as fibroblast growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor) and anti-angiogenic molecules (such as angiostatin, endostatin, or pigment epithelium derived factor) in the cornea. Several inflammatory, infectious, degenerative, and traumatic disorders are associated with corneal NV, in which the balance is tilted towards angiogenesis. The pathogenesis of corneal NV may be influenced by matrix metalloproteinases and other proteolytic enzymes. New medical and surgical treatments, including angiostatic steroids, nonsteroidal inflammatory agents, argon laser photocoagulation, and photodynamic therapy have been effective in animal models to inhibit corneal NV and transiently restore corneal "angiogenic privilege."
authors.affiliation: Schepens Eye Research Institute and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: E E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Gabison
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: D T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Azar
mesh_terms: D043168:Angiostatins; D000818:Animals; D003094:Collagen / Q000378:metabolism; D003315:Cornea / Q000098:blood supply; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy; D043169:Endostatins; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D015843:Serpins / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor
chemical_list: D043168:Angiostatins; D003094:Collagen; D043169:Endostatins; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D005136:Eye Proteins; D005346:Fibroblast Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D020782:Matrix Metalloproteinases; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010958:Plasminogen; D011506:Proteins; D015843:Serpins; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D000099174:Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor