COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CORNEAL HAZE AND SCARRING

1 .- 33 . (canceled)

34 . A hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use in a method of treating corneal haze or scarring, wherein the HGF agent comprises a polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence having at least 70% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 or a fragment thereof, whereby the fragment is capable of reducing corneal haze or scarring.

35 . The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use according to claim 34 , wherein the composition comprising at least one purified HGF agent further comprises a corneal stroma permeating excipient.

36 . The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use according to claim 34 , wherein the purified HGF agent is present in a concentration of 0.001% to 1% w/v, preferably 0.005% to 0.05% w/v, more preferably about 0.01% w/v.

37 . The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use according to claim 34 , wherein the compositions is administered daily for 5 days after an injury to the cornea;

or

wherein the composition is administered daily for 3 days after an injury to the cornea;

or

wherein the composition is administered daily for 1 day after an injury to the cornea.

38 . The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use according to claim 34 , wherein the method comprises administering said composition to a subject,

wherein the administering comprises topical administration or subconjunctival administration;

or

wherein the administering comprises contacting the composition with corneal stroma of the subject.

39 . The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use according to claim 34 , wherein the composition is formulated as an eye drop.

40 . The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use according to claim 34 , wherein the purified HGF agent comprises a polypeptide

or

wherein the composition is administered daily for 3 days after an injury to the cornea;

or

wherein the composition is administered daily for 1 day after an injury to the cornea.

comprising an amino acid sequence of residues 32-494 of SEQ ID NO:1; or

comprising an amino acid sequence of residues 126-207 of SEQ ID NO:1; or

comprising an amino acid sequence of residues 208-289 of SEQ ID NO:1; or

comprising an amino acid sequence of residues 302-384 of SEQ ID NO:1; or

comprising an amino acid sequence of residues 388-470 of SEQ ID NO:1.

41 . The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use according to claim 34 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 95% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1.

42 . The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use according to claim 34 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 98% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1.

43 . The hepatocyte growth factor receptor (HGFR)-binding composition comprising at least one purified hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) agent for use according to claim 34 , wherein the polypeptide comprises an amino acid sequence having at least 99% sequence identity to SEQ ID NO: 1.