Stimulus-responsive nanomaterials for ocular antimicrobial therapy

Nanomaterials exhibit a promising new avenue for treating infectious keratitis, having garnered considerable interest in the ophthalmic medical community due to their unique properties including higher target specificity, enhanced bioactivity of loaded agents, reduced drug dosage, and stimulus-responsive drug release. These stimulus-responsive nanomaterial-mediated therapeutic strategies offer innovative approaches for managing ocular antimicrobial diseases. In this review, we aim to summarize current applications of stimulus-responsive nanotherapeutics for ocular antimicrobial therapy. We briefly introduce the basic ocular structure, ocular barrier, infectious keratitis classification, and its microenvironment. Following this, we summarize the nanotherapeutic antimicrobial strategies employed in treating ocular infections including endogenous stimulus-responsive ocular nanodrugs, sonodynamic therapy, and wearable device-based therapy, focusing on their design principles, developmental progress, and advantages and limitations. Finally, we critically evaluate the biosafety profiles of responsive nanomaterials, specifically addressing cytotoxicity and immune interactions. To conclude, we discuss key challenges in this research field and future opportunities with explicit emphasis on clinical translation and practical medical applications.