Abstract:

The conjunctival lymphatic vessels play an important role in the pathogenesis and progress of conjunctiva-related disease such as conjunctiva tumor, pterygium, and in increasing aqueous humor flow after incisional surgeries for the glaucoma. The staining of 5'-nucleotidase-alkaline phosphatase can be used to identify conjuncitval lymphatic vessels from the capillary blood vessels. Several growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been confirmed to promote conjunctival lymphangiogenesis. This paper also shines a spotlight on the diseases associated with the conjunctival lymphatic vessels, such as pterygium, conjunctivochalasis, and conjunctival tumor, and on the effect of conjunctival lymphatic vessels on incisional surgeries for the treatment of glaucoma. A heightened appreciation of conjunctival lymphatic vessels is therefore helpful in understanding the conjunctiva-related diseases.