Advanced Corneal Hydrogels: From Passive Replacement to Active Regeneration and Intelligent Interaction

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Science
• Ophthalmology
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Corneal pathologies necessitate advanced treatments due to global donor tissue scarcity.
• Hydrogels offer tunable transparency, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties for corneal applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive framework for designing hydrogels for corneal regeneration.
• To compare natural, synthetic, and decellularized hydrogels for corneal applications.
• To explore advanced technologies like 3D bioprinting and bioelectronics for corneal repair.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of hydrogel properties (optical, mechanical, adhesion).
• Comparative analysis of natural, synthetic, and decellularized-matrix hydrogels.
• Evaluation of advanced fabrication (3D bioprinting) and sensing technologies.

Main Results:

• Critical design requirements include optical clarity, anisotropic mechanics, and wet adhesion.
• Structure-property relationships are key to mimicking native corneal physiology.
• Bioactive regeneration strategies enhance wound healing and enable drug delivery.

Conclusions:

• Hydrogels are versatile for corneal repair, moving from passive substitution to active regeneration.
• 3D bioprinting and bioelectronics offer new avenues for corneal reconstruction and monitoring.
• Addressing clinical translation challenges is crucial for next-generation corneal devices.