Mechanism of Corneal Healing and the Role of the Growth Factors in the Eye – A Review

Abstract

Injury to the cornea results in a cascade of processes that lead to the healing of the wound and restoration of vision, requiring integration of cellular proliferation, migration, differentiation, apoptosis, and intercellular communication. Combinations of growth factors and cytokines present in the tear film and cornea of the eye are involved in these processes. The presented article reviews the corneal anatomy and the most common lesions of the cornea in veterinary ophthalmology. It overviews the chemical signal-mediated events and the important role of the growth factors as regulators in healing and repairing the corneal cells and the corneal layers.