Vitreous Substitutes: the Present and the Future

Overview

Journal Biomed Res Int

Publisher Wiley

Specialties Biomedical Engineering
Biotechnology
General Medicine

Date 2014 May 31

PMID 24877085

Citations 42

Authors

Simone Donati

Simona Maria Caprani

Giulia Airaghi

Riccardo Vinciguerra

Luigi Bartalena

Francesco Testa

Cesare Mariotti

Giovanni Porta

Francesca Simonelli

Claudio Azzolini

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Vitreoretinal surgery has advanced in numerous directions during recent years. The removal of the vitreous body is one of the main characteristics of this surgical procedure. Several molecules have been tested in the past to fill the vitreous cavity and to mimic its functions. We here review the currently available vitreous substitutes, focusing on their molecular properties and functions, together with their adverse effects. Afterwards we describe the characteristics of the ideal vitreous substitute. The challenges facing every ophthalmology researcher are to reach a long-term intraocular permanence of vitreous substitute with total inertness of the molecule injected and the control of inflammatory reactions. We report new polymers with gelification characteristics and smart hydrogels representing the future of vitreoretinal surgery. Finally, we describe the current studies on vitreous regeneration and cell cultures to create new intraocular gels with optimal biocompatibility and rheological properties.

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