Future directions in therapeutic interventions for conjunctival inflammatory disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To review recent advances in pathogenesis and treatment of conjunctival inflammatory disorders.


RESULTS
The conjunctiva becomes inflamed in a number of conditions, including allergy, atopy, dry eye, mucus membrane pemphigoid, Stevens-Johnson syndrome and surgical manipulation. Basic and clinical studies have identified a number of inflammatory mediators as potential therapeutic targets in these conditions. Additionally, new therapeutic agents and enhanced delivery systems have been evaluated.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased understanding of the key mediators of conjunctival inflammation coupled with improved drug delivery methods are leading to more effective therapy for conjunctival inflammatory disorders.
Pflugfelder
Stephen C
SC
Ocular Surface Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA. stevenp@bcm.tmc.edu
Stern
Michael E
ME
D000818:Animals; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000276:immunology; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015352:Dry Eye Syndromes / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans
D016207:Cytokines