Corneal stromal wound healing is a complex event that occurs to restore the transparency of an injured cornea. It involves immediate apoptosis of keratocytes followed by their activation, proliferation, migration, and trans-differentiation to myofibroblasts. Myofibroblasts contract to close the wound and secrete extracellular matrix and proteinases to remodel it. Released proteinases may degenerate the basement membrane allowing an influx of cytokines from overlying epithelium. Immune cells infiltrate the wound to clear cellular debris and prevent infections. Gradually basement membrane regenerates, myofibroblasts and immune cells disappear, abnormal matrix is resorbed, and transparency of the cornea is restored. Often this cascade deregulates and corneal opacity results. Factors that prevent corneal opacity after an injury have always intrigued the researchers. They hold clinical relevance as they can guide the outcomes of corneal surgeries. Studies in the past have shed light on the role of various factors in stromal healing. TGFβ (transforming growth factor-beta) signaling is the central player guiding stromal responses. Other major regulators include myofibroblasts, basement membrane, collagen fibrils, small leucine-rich proteoglycans, biophysical cues, proteins derived from extracellular matrix, and membrane channels. The knowledge about their roles helped to develop novel therapies to prevent corneal opacity. This article reviews the role of major regulators that determine the outcome of stromal healing. It also discusses emerging therapies that modulate the role of these regulators to prevent stromal opacity.

角膜基质伤口愈合是恢复受伤角膜透明度的复杂事件。它涉及角质细胞的立即凋亡，然后是它们的活化、增殖、迁移和转分化为肌成纤维细胞。肌成纤维细胞收缩以闭合伤口并分泌细胞外基质和蛋白酶以对其进行重塑。释放的蛋白酶可能使基底膜退化，从而使细胞因子从上皮细胞流入。免疫细胞渗入伤口以清除细胞碎片并预防感染。逐渐基底膜再生，肌成纤维细胞和免疫细胞消失，异常基质被再吸收，角膜透明度恢复。通常这种级联会解除管制并导致角膜混浊。防止受伤后角膜混浊的因素一直吸引着研究人员。它们具有临床相关性，因为它们可以指导角膜手术的结果。过去的研究揭示了各种因素在基质愈合中的作用。TGFβ（转化生长因子-β）信号传导是指导基质反应的核心参与者。其他主要调节剂包括肌成纤维细胞、基底膜、胶原纤维、富含亮氨酸的小蛋白聚糖、生物物理信号、源自细胞外基质的蛋白质和膜通道。关于它们的作用的知识有助于开发新的疗法来预防角膜混浊。本文回顾了决定基质愈合结果的主要监管机构的作用。