A Review of the Pathogenesis of Corneal Vascularization

Abstract

Corneal vascularization is a subject of importance not only to research scientists but also to optometrists who in daily clinical practice are responsible for monitoring the ocular health of their patients. Contact lens patients in par­ticular must be examined regularly and on a continuing basis for signs of patho­logical corneal changes such as vascular­ization which indicate an intolerance to their contact lenses. The purpose of this paper is to review what is presently known about the pathogenesis of corneal vascularization since an understanding of this condition may give us insight as to why it occurs in certain patients; for example contact lens wearers.