Role of transforming growth factor beta in conjunctival scarring.

Glaucoma is the major cause of irreversible blindness throughout the world. Of all of the treatments that are available at present, the most effective appears to be surgery; however, excessive conjunctival scarring can lead to surgical failure. In the last decade, the introduction of the anti-metabolites mitomycin-C and 5-fluorouracil as anti-scarring treatments have greatly improved the results of glaucoma surgery, but these agents are associated with complications that can potentially result in blindness. A possible target for a more physiological approach to anti-scarring is transforming growth factor beta. This review examines the role of transforming growth factor beta in conjunctival scarring and discusses promising new ways of modifying its activity.