[Research progress of corneal neovascularization in herpes stromal keratitis]

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection can cause inflammatory reactions and angiogenesis of the cornea, which significantly reduce corneal transparency. Herpes stromal keratitis (HSK) is an immune mediated disease caused by HSV infection, and is associated with inflammation and angiogenesis of the cornea. It is difficult to control HSK therapeutically. Repeated episodes of HSK can result in chronic inflammatory disease in the corneal stroma. Neovascularization plays a key role in the pathogenesis of HSK, so inhibiting the angiogenesis will help to control HSK disease. In this review, the pathomechanism of HSK is described. The roles of multiple cytokines and soluble mediators in corneal vascularization are discussed, and the potential ways of preventing and controlling corneal vascularization induced by HSK are summarized. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55:956-960).