乳铁蛋白（LF）是一种一线防御蛋白质，具有多重功能，包括抗炎、免疫调节、抗病毒、抗菌和抗肿瘤性能。值得注意的是，这种结合铁的糖蛋白促进铁的保留，限制自由基产生，避免氧化损伤和炎症。在眼表面，LF从角膜上皮细胞和泪腺释放，占泪液总蛋白的显着比例。由于其多功能性，LF在多种眼部疾病中的可用性可能受到限制。因此，为了加强在眼表面上这种非常有益的糖蛋白的作用，LF已被提议用于治疗不同疾病，如干眼症、角膜圆锥症、结膜炎和病毒或细菌性眼部感染等。在本文中，我们概述了LF的结构和生物学功能，其在眼表面上的相关角色，其在LF相关眼表面疾病中的作用，以及其在生物医学应用中的潜力。

Lactoferrin (LF) is a first-line defense protein with a pleiotropic functional pattern that includes anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antiviral, antibacterial, and antitumoral properties. Remarkably, this iron-binding glycoprotein promotes iron retention, restricting free radical production and avoiding oxidative damage and inflammation. On the ocular surface, LF is released from corneal epithelial cells and lacrimal glands, representing a significant percentage of the total tear fluid proteins. Due to its multifunctionality, the availability of LF may be limited in several ocular disorders. Consequently, to reinforce the action of this highly beneficial glycoprotein on the ocular surface, LF has been proposed for the treatment of different conditions such as dry eye, keratoconus, conjunctivitis, and viral or bacterial ocular infections, among others. In this review, we outline the structure and the biological functions of LF, its relevant role at the ocular surface, its implication in LF-related ocular surface disorders, and its potential for biomedical applications.