Abstract
The dysfunction of mitochondria, the "energy factories" of cells, not only causes an insufficiency of energy production but also leads to various pathological alterations in cells such as the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, inflammatory responses and mitochondrial DNA damage, all of which were involved in the onset or deterioration of diseases. The presence of mitochondrial dysfunction has been confirmed in many ocular surface diseases such as dry eye, Fuchs corneal endothelial dystrophy and diabetic keratopathy. However, its role in the pathogenesis of ocular surface diseases and underlying molecular mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Moreover, mitochondrial therapies for ocular surface diseases are currently still under investigation. This mini-review summarizes the pathological features of mitochondrial dysfunction and its mechanisms that have been identified in the pathogenesis of ocular surface diseases, and discusses the potential of mitochondrial therapies in the treatment of these diseases.