[Wound healing after glaucoma filtering surgery--a review].

Wound healing after glaucoma filtering surgery is characterized by a complex sequence of molecular and cellular events. Results of recent investigations have shown that the activation, migration, proliferation and differentiation of Tenon's capsule fibroblasts represents the central element of the wound healing response. An exaggerated wound healing will result in the closure of the artificial fistula between the anterior chamber and the subconjunctival space, leading to an increase in intraocular pressure. The present review summarizes the current knowledge regarding the most important cellular and molecular mechanisms, which regulate the postsurgical wound healing response in the subconjunctival space. Special emphasis will be put on the specific role of cytokines during the wound healing response. An extensive understanding of these mechanisms appears pivotal for the development of specific therapeutic strategies to inhibit the events which lead to fibrogenesis and scarring in the wound region after glaucoma filtration surgery. The databank was Medline.