Provided herein are methods of preventing a fibrotic response and/or scarring in a wound, comprising administering to a subject a composition comprising an amount of an amide or ester of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid effective to inhibit a proliferative and/or fibrotic response in the wound. In one instance, the wound is to a subject’s cornea, such as a wound resulting from refractive surgery. In one embodiment, the amide or ester of an alpha-ketoalkanoic acid is ethyl pyruvate.