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Hydrogels as Emerging Materials for Cornea Wound Healing
Sadjad Khosravimelal1,2,3, Mohammadmahdi Mobaraki4, Samane Eftekhari1,2
1Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, 1449614535, Iran.
Small (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)
|April 22, 2021
Summary
Hydrogel biomaterials show promise for corneal tissue engineering due to their tuneable properties and ability to promote regeneration. Recent studies highlight their effectiveness in corneal wound healing, with emerging clinical applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Ophthalmology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Corneal injuries require treatments that preserve tissue transparency and integrity.
- Hydrogels offer tuneable mechanical and optical properties ideal for corneal repair.
- Hydrogels support nerve and cell regeneration, making them suitable for corneal tissue engineering.
Purpose of the Study:
- To critically review in vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies on hydrogel use for corneal wound healing over the past decade.
- To assess the emerging technology of hydrogels in corneal treatment.
- To evaluate the progress of novel hydrogel modifications in clinical trials.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of scientific literature focusing on hydrogel applications in corneal wound healing.
- Analysis of in vitro, preclinical, and clinical trial data from the last 10 years.
- Evaluation of hydrogel modifications and their performance in early-phase clinical trials.
Main Results:
- Hydrogels possess favorable characteristics like tuneable mechanics and cytocompatibility for corneal regeneration.
- Numerous studies demonstrate the potential of hydrogels in corneal tissue engineering and wound healing.
- Early-phase clinical trials of modified hydrogels show promising outcomes for corneal repair.
Conclusions:
- Hydrogels represent an emerging and promising technology for corneal wound healing and tissue engineering.
- Continued research and development in novel hydrogels are expected to yield new clinical products within five years.
- The field of hydrogel-based corneal repair is a significant and growing multibillion-dollar industry.
