Historically, the eye has been considered as an organ free of lymphatic vessels. In recent years, however, it became evident, that lymphatic vessels or lymphatic-like vessels contribute to several ocular pathologies at various peri- and intraocular locations. The aim of this review is to outline the pathogenetic role of ocular lymphatics, the respective molecular mechanisms and to discuss current and future therapeutic options based thereon.

We will give an overview on the vascular anatomy of the healthy ocular surface and the molecular mechanisms contributing to corneal (lymph)angiogenic privilege. In addition, we present (i) current insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms occurring during pathological neovascularization of the cornea triggered e.g. by inflammation or trauma, (ii) the role of lymphatic vessels in different ocular surface pathologies such as dry eye disease, corneal graft rejection, ocular graft versus host disease, allergy, and pterygium, (iii) the involvement of lymphatic vessels in ocular tumors and metastasis, and (iv) the novel role of the lymphatic-like structure of Schlemm's canal in glaucoma. Identification of the underlying molecular mechanisms and of novel modulators of lymphangiogenesis will contribute to the development of new therapeutic targets for the treatment of ocular diseases associated with pathological lymphangiogenesis in the future. The preclinical data presented here outline novel therapeutic concepts for promoting transplant survival, inhibiting metastasis of ocular tumors, reducing inflammation of the ocular surface, and treating glaucoma. Initial data from clinical trials suggest first success of novel treatment strategies to promote transplant survival based on pretransplant corneal lymphangioregression.

历史上，眼睛一直被认为是没有淋巴管的器官。然而，近年来，很明显，淋巴管或淋巴管样血管会导致各种眼周和眼内位置的多种眼部病变。本综述的目的是概述眼淋巴管的致病作用、各自的分子机制，并在此基础上讨论当前和未来的治疗选择。

我们将概述健康眼表的血管解剖结构和有助于角膜（淋巴）血管生成特权的分子机制。此外，我们提出 (i) 目前对角膜病理性新生血管形成过程中发生的细胞和分子机制的见解，例如由炎症或外伤触发，(ii) 淋巴管在不同眼表病变如干眼病、角膜移植物排斥、眼部移植物抗宿主病、过敏和翼状胬肉，(iii) 淋巴管参与眼部肿瘤和转移，以及 (iv) 施莱姆管淋巴样结构在青光眼中的新作用。确定淋巴管生成的潜在分子机制和新型调节剂将有助于开发新的治疗靶点，用于治疗未来与病理性淋巴管生成相关的眼部疾病。此处提供的临床前数据概述了促进移植存活、抑制眼部肿瘤转移、减少眼表炎症和治疗青光眼的新治疗概念。来自临床试验的初步数据表明，基于移植前角膜淋巴管退化的新治疗策略首次成功促进移植存活。抑制眼部肿瘤转移，减轻眼表炎症，治疗青光眼。来自临床试验的初步数据表明，基于移植前角膜淋巴管退化的新治疗策略首次成功促进移植存活。抑制眼部肿瘤转移，减轻眼表炎症，治疗青光眼。来自临床试验的初步数据表明，基于移植前角膜淋巴管退化的新治疗策略首次成功促进移植存活。