Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is the second leading common cause of vision impairment worldwide and is a blinding pathological alteration brought on by ocular trauma, infection, and other factors. There are some limitations in the treatment of CoNV, hence it\'s critical to look into novel therapeutic targets. The corneal epithelial barrier, which is the initial barrier of the ocular surface, is an important structure that shields the eye from changes in the internal environment or invasion by the external environment. This study sought to collate evidence on the regulation of corneal epithelial barrier injury on the activation of vascular endothelial cells (VECs), basement membrane (BM) degradation, differentiation, migration, and proliferation of VECs, vascular maturation and stability, and other key processes in CoNV, so as to provide a novel concept for CoNV therapy targeting corneal epithelial barrier repair.

Background/Objectives: Aniridia-associated keratopathy (AAK) is a potentially vision-threatening pathology in congenital aniridia, for which both the underlying etiopathogenesis and effective treatment remain unclear. Methods:This prospective study was conducted to assess and compare the short-term outcome after superficial keratectomy (SK) alone or in a combination with an amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT). Here, 76 eyes were enrolled in 76 patients with grade 4 AAK. In all eyes, in order to assess preoperatively the efficiency of the limbal epithelial stem cells (LESC), the presence of corneal epithelial cells in confocal microscopy was established. The analyses included: best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), the stage of AAK and the number of corneal quadrants involved in corneal neovascularization (CNV). Results: Six months after surgery, the mean BCVA was 0.05 and ranged from 0.002 up to 0.1 in both groups. Improvement in BCVA occurred in 94.29% patients when *SK alone* was performed, and in 92.68% when in combination with AMT. There were no statistically significant differences in the effect of therapy depending on the type of surgery, regarding BCVA, stage of AAK and the number of quadrants with CNV. Conclusions: SK alone is an effective procedure in short outcomes limited to six months for advanced AAK in association with LESC partial efficiency.

BACKGROUND: Currently, no perfect treatment for neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis exist, and each treatment method has its complications and side effects. This study aimed to investigate the anti-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects of cannabidiol and its mechanism of action.
METHODS: An in vivo corneal neovascularization (CNV) model was established using the suture method to investigate the inhibitory effects of CBD on suture-induced corneal inflammation, pathological blood vessel formation, and lymphangiogenesis. Additionally, the impact of CBD on immune cells was studied. In vitro methodologies, including cell sorting and co-culture, were employed to elucidate its mechanism of action.
RESULTS: Compared with the CNV group, CBD can inhibit CNV, lymphangiogenesis, and inflammation induced via the suture method. In addition, CBD specifically induced CD45+CD11b+Gr-1+ cell upregulation, which significantly inhibited the proliferation of CD4+ T lymphocytes in vitro and exhibited a CD31+ phenotype, proving that they were myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs). We administered anti-Gr-1 to mice to eliminate MDSCs in vivo and found that anti-Gr-1 partially reversed the anti-inflammatory and angiogenic effects of CBD. Furthermore, we found that compared with MDSCs in the normal group, CBD-induced MDSCs overexpress peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ). Administering PPAR-γ inhibitor in mice almost reversed the induction of MDSCs by CBD, demonstrating the role of PPAR-γ in the function of CBD.
CONCLUSIONS: This study indicates that CBD may induce MDSCs upregulation by activating the nuclear receptor PPAR-γ, exerting anti-inflammatory, antiangiogenic, and lymphangiogenic effects, and revealing potential therapeutic targets for corneal neovascularization and lymphangiogenesis.

UNASSIGNED: To report two cases of bilateral blepharokeratoconjunctivitis associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS).
UNASSIGNED: Case report and literature review. The clinical courses of two patients with HS, including ocular presentation and medical management, are described.
UNASSIGNED: Two female patients aged 18 and 23-years-old with severe HS presented with bilateral blepharokeratoconjunctivitis. Shared slit lamp findings included bilateral corneal neovascularization and inferior corneal thinning. Systemic immunosuppression was needed in the first case, which resulted in improvement in the patient\'s ophthalmic and dermatological findings.
UNASSIGNED: We report two cases of bilateral blepharokeratoconjunctivitis in two patients with severe HS. To our knowledge, this association has not previously been described in the literature. Clinicians should be aware of this association given its potentially visually devastating manifestations and the need for early therapeutic interventions.

Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is predominantly initiated by inflammatory processes, resulting in aberrant vascular proliferation and consequent visual impairment. Existing therapeutic interventions for CoNV demonstrate limited efficacy and potential for adverse reactions. Protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1) is associated with the regulation of inflammation and M2 macrophage polarization. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism by which PRMT1 operates in CoNV remains uncertain. This study explored the impact of PRMT1 inhibition in a murine model of CoNV induced by alkali burn. Our findings indicated a direct relationship between PRMT1 levels and corneal damage. Moreover, our observations indicated an increase in fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) expression in CoNV, which was reduced after treatment with a PRMT1 inhibitor. The inhibition of PRMT1 alleviated both corneal injury and CoNV, as evidenced by decreased corneal opacity and neovascularization. Immunofluorescence analysis and evaluation of inflammatory factor expression demonstrated that PRMT1 inhibition attenuated M2 macrophage polarization, a phenomenon that was reversed by the administration of recombinant FGF2 protein. These results were confirmed through experimentation on Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) and Mouse leukemia cells of monocyte macrophage cells (RAW264.7). Furthermore, it was established that FGF2 played a role in PI3K/Akt signal transduction, a critical regulatory pathway for M2 macrophage polarization. Importantly, the activity of this pathway was found to be suppressed by PRMT1 inhibitors. Mechanistically, PRMT1 was shown to promote M2 macrophage polarization, thereby contributing to CoNV, through the FGF2/PI3K/Akt pathway. Therefore, targeting PRMT1 may offer a promising therapeutic approach.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to highlight recent developments in the medical and surgical management of corneal neovascularization (NV).
RESULTS: Improved understanding and diagnostic criteria among clinicians have led to advancements in the characterization of corneal NV and objective assessment of treatment response through ancillary imaging devices. Developments in corneal NV treatments, such as antivascular endothelial growth factor, fine needle diathermy, and photodynamic therapy, have improved treatment success rates and visual outcomes. More recent surgical treatment advancements include corneal cross-linking, endothelial keratoplasty, and mitomycin intravascular chemoembolization. Finally, a greater appreciation of the molecular pathogenesis and angiogenic factors involved in corneal NV has identified numerous potential targeted therapies in the future.
CONCLUSIONS: The management of corneal NV has evolved to include several standalone and combination medical and surgical options. Additionally, improvements in quantifying corneal NV and understanding its molecular basis have contributed to new management strategies with improved outcomes.

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is one of the common blinding factors worldwide, leading to reduced vision or even blindness. However, current treatments such as surgical intervention and anti-VEGF agent therapy still have some shortcomings or evoke some adverse effects. Recently, SU6668, an inhibitor targeting angiogenic tyrosine kinases, has demonstrated growth inhibition of neovascularization. But the hydrophobicity and low ocular bioavailability limit its application in cornea. Hereby, we proposed the preparation of SU6668 pure nanoparticles (NanoSU6668; size ~135 nm) using a super-stable pure-nanomedicine formulation technology (SPFT), which possessed uniform particle size and excellent aqueous dispersion at 1 mg/mL. Furthermore, mesenchymal stem cell membrane vesicle (MSCm) was coated on the surface of NanoSU6668, and then conjugated with TAT cell penetrating peptide, preparing multifunctional TAT-MSCm@NanoSU6668 (T-MNS). The T-MNS at a concentration of 200 µg/mL was treated for CNV via eye drops, and accumulated in blood vessels with a high targeting performance, resulting in elimination of blood vessels and recovery of cornea transparency after 4 days of treatment. Meanwhile, drug safety test confirmed that T-MNS did not cause any damage to cornea, retina and other eye tissues. In conclusion, the T-MNS eye drop had the potential to treat CNV effectively and safely in a low dosing frequency, which broke new ground for CNV theranostics.

Corneal neovascularization can impair vision and result in a poor quality of life. The pathogenesis involves a complex interplay of angiogenic factors, notably vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). This review provides a comprehensive overview of potential therapies for corneal neovascularization, covering tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) inhibitors, interleukin-1L receptor antagonist (IL-1 Ra), nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms, galectin-3 inhibitors, retinal pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) receptor inhibitors, and surgical treatments. Conventional treatments include anti-VEGF therapy and laser interventions, while emerging therapies such as immunosuppressive drugs (cyclosporine and rapamycin) have been explored. Losartan and decorin are potential antifibrotic agents that mitigate TGF-β-induced fibrosis. Ocular nanosystems are innovative drug-delivery platforms that facilitate the targeted release of therapeutic agents. Gene therapies, such as small interfering RNA and antisense oligonucleotides, are promising approaches for selectively inhibiting angiogenesis-related gene expression. Aganirsen is efficacious in reducing the corneal neovascularization area without significant adverse effects. These multifaceted approaches underscore the corneal neovascularization management complexity and highlight ideas for enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, the importance of combination therapies and the need for further research to develop specific inhibitors while considering their therapeutic efficacy and potential adverse effects are discussed.

OBJECTIVE: To report an unusual case of ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) associated with human papilloma virus (HPV)-16 infection with an atypical morphology in a young otherwise healthy patient.
METHODS: A 17 year-old healthy male was referred to our department for evaluation of a corneal infiltrate with anterior stromal neovascularization in the right eye. One year before, the patient underwent an excision of a corneo-conjunctival lesion that was located inferiorly in the same eye. Histopathological analysis had shown moderate and severe dysplasia of the conjunctival epithelium and resulted positive for HPV-16. We performed a diagnostic incisional biopsy of the limbal conjunctiva and of the corneal epithelium for histological examination and molecular testing for HPV and Chlamydia by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Histopathologic evaluation demonstrated low-grade dysplasia of conjunctiva. PCR testing of the corneal epithelium was positive for HPV-16, similarly to the first biopsy performed by another centre. The patient was successfully treated with topical interferon alfa-2b (1,000,000 IU/ml) for a total of six months. After the treatment, the corneal infiltrate improved dramatically with regression of neovascularization and improvement of corneal transparency and vision.
CONCLUSIONS: The present report described an atypical presentation of HPV-related OSSN due to its unusual morphology, young age of onset and absence of associated comorbidity.
CONCLUSIONS: Conservative treatment with topical interferon-alpha 2b could be used to treat successfully HPV-16 positive OSSN, with no corneal irregularity or potential loss of vision compared to surgical excision.

Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is a vision-threatening ocular disease commonly secondary to infectious, inflammatory, and traumatic etiologies. Slit lamp photography, in vivo confocal microscopy, angiography, and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) are the primary diagnostic tools utilized in clinical practice to evaluate the vasculature of the ocular surface. However, there is currently a dearth of comprehensive literature that reviews the advancements in imaging technology for CoNV administration. Initially designed for retinal vascular imaging, OCTA has now been expanded to the anterior segment and has shown promising potential for imaging the conjunctiva, cornea, and iris. This expansion allows for the quantitative monitoring of the structural and functional changes associated with CoNV. In this review, we emphasize the impact of algorithm optimization in anterior segment-optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA) on the diagnostic efficacy of CoNV. Through the analysis of existing literature, animal model assessments are further reported to investigate its pathological mechanism and exhibit remarkable therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, AS-OCTA holds broad prospects and extensive potential for clinical diagnostics and research applications in CoNV.