Degradable Suture-Free Scaffold to Induce Therapeutic Ridge Formation and to Control Eye Elongation: A Potential...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Pathological myopia is characterized by excessive axial elongation, leading to vision impairment.
• Current treatments often involve invasive procedures or lack long-term efficacy.
• There is a need for innovative strategies to manage and reverse myopia progression.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an optimized, degradable, cell-free, and suture-free tissue scaffold implant for treating pathological myopia.
• To investigate the scaffold's ability to reverse excessive axial elongation and induce a therapeutic ridge.

Main Methods:

• A form-deprivation (FD) myopia model was established in New Zealand White rabbits.
• A gelatin methacryloyl and poly-L-lactide microfiber film scaffold was implanted onto the posterior sclera of FD rabbit eyes.
• Ocular dimensions, safety (electroretinogram, intraocular pressure, apoptosis), and histology were assessed.

Main Results:

• Implanted eyes showed significantly shorter axial lengths compared to control and model-only eyes, maintained over time.
• The scaffold promoted in situ tissue regeneration, mimicking native scleral structure and forming an inward therapeutic ridge.
• Simulations indicated the ridge effectively relieved outward macular traction with minimal stress perturbation.

Conclusions:

• The degradable scaffold implant is an effective strategy for reversing myopic eye elongation.
• The induced therapeutic ridge mitigates macular traction, offering a novel mechanism for myopia control.
• This suture-free, cell-free approach presents a potential minimally invasive clinical application for pathological myopia.