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Polymeric hydrogel as a vitreous substitute: current research, challenges, and future directions
Ting Wang1,2, Ruijin Ran1,3, Yan Ma4
1Department of Ophthalmology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, People's Republic of China.
Biomedical Materials (Bristol, England)
|May 26, 2021
Summary
New polymeric hydrogels show promise as ideal vitreous substitutes for retinal surgery, offering improved biocompatibility and injectability over traditional options like silicone oil and gases.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Biomaterials Science
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Vitreoretinal surgery requires vitreous substitutes for retina reattachment.
- Current substitutes (silicone oil, gases) have significant complications.
- Polymeric hydrogels are promising due to favorable properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the development of polymeric hydrogels as vitreous substitutes.
- To highlight recent advances in stimuli-responsive and self-assembly hydrogels.
- To evaluate challenges and future directions for ideal vitreous substitutes.
Main Methods:
- Review of natural-based and synthetic polymeric hydrogels.
- Focus on stimuli-response and self-assembly supramolecular hydrogels.
- Analysis of injectability, residence time, and biocompatibility.
Main Results:
- Polymeric hydrogels offer better physical, mechanical, and biocompatibility properties.
- Stimuli-responsive and self-assembly hydrogels demonstrate easy injectability and long residence time.
- These novel hydrogels are potential candidates for ideal vitreous substitutes.
Conclusions:
- Polymeric hydrogels, especially novel stimuli-responsive and self-assembly types, are promising vitreous substitutes.
- Further research is needed to overcome current challenges for clinical application.
- These materials could significantly improve outcomes in vitreoretinal surgery.
