[Research progress on conjunctiva organoids]

Conjunctival homeostasis is crucial for ocular health; however, the lack of highly biomimetic in vitro models has hindered research on the mechanisms of conjunctival diseases. Organoid technology, which can simulate the in vivo microenvironment, recapitulate 3D structures and key functions, provides a new tool for this field, and this review focuses on the research of conjunctival organoids. Research on organoids began in 1907, and conjunctival organoids derived from adult stem cells were first established in 2024. Currently, four core culture methods have been developed, including the induction of functional conjunctival cells from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), construction of 3D-printed bilayered tissue-engineered conjunctiva, development of full-thickness models containing goblet cells, and establishment of high-throughput preparation models. Among these, iPSC differentiation can yield functional epithelial cells, and the high-throughput model has also completed in-situ transplantation verification in mice. Conjunctival organoids have three main applications: facilitating the study of pathogenesis by simulating inflammation or viral infection, supporting drug screening, and serving as transplant donors-their survival and integration capabilities have been verified in mice. Nevertheless, current research still has limitations, such as a single cell type, restricted cell sources, complex culture processes with high costs, and unproven safety after transplantation. In the future, this field needs to focus on optimizing culture systems, constructing multi-cell models, innovating biomaterials, and promoting standardization. Meanwhile, it should expand application scenarios such as gene-edited disease models and microfluidic drug evaluation to advance the translation of conjunctival organoids from basic research to clinical practice.