Abstract: Over the last decade, numerous studies have demonstrated that neutrophils could trap and kill pathogens by releasing a reticular structure containing DNA, which is named as neutrophil extracellular traps (NET). As a new antimicrobial mechanism, NET has been widely concerned and studied by plenty of scholars. However, increasing evidence showed that excess NET could cause some damage for tissue, which is involved in the pathological processes of various diseases. In addition, researchers have found aggregated NET in tear film, suggesting a key role of NET in defending against pathogens on ocular surface, while excessive NET promoted an inflammatory process on ocular surface. This article describes the latest research progress on the dual role of NET on ocular surface system, focusing on the anti- pathogenic effects and pro-inflammatory responses of NET to provide a new avenue for pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of ocular surface inflammation and infection. (Int Rev Ophthalmol, 2022, 46: 261-266)

Key words: neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), ocular surface