Up-to-date molecular medicine strategies for management of ocular surface neovascularization

Ocular surface neovascularization and its resulting pathological changes significantly alter corneal refraction and obstruct the light path to the retina, and hence is a major cause of vision loss. Various factors such as infection, irritation, trauma, dry eye, and ocular surface surgery trigger neovascularization via angiogenesis and lym-phangiogenesis dependent on VEGF-related and alternative mechanisms. Recent advances in antiangiogenic drugs, nanotechnology, gene therapy, surgical equipment and techniques, animal models, and drug delivery strategies have provided a range of novel therapeutic options for the treatment of ocular surfaceneovascularization. In this review article, we comprehensively discuss the etiology and mechanisms of corneal neovascularization and other types of ocular surface neovascularization, as well as emerging animal models and drug delivery strategies that facilitate its management.
Funding Agencies|National Program on Key Research [2021YFA0804703]; National Youth Talent Support Program; Innovation Research Team of High-level Local Universities in Shanghai; Program for Professor of Special Appointment in Shanghai (Eastern Scholar) [TP2018007]; Longyan City Science and Technology Plan Project [2022LYF19075]; European Union [101007931]