Vitreous Substitutes : The Present and the Future

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 cur...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BioMed research international 2014-01, Vol.2014 (2014), p.1-12
Main Authors: Donati, Simone, Caprani, Simona Maria, Airaghi, Giulia, Vinciguerra, Riccardo, Bartalena, Luigi, Testa, Francesco, Mariotti, Cesare, Porta, Giovanni, Simonelli, Francesca, Azzolini, Claudio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Analysis
Anatomy & physiology
Animals
Biocompatibility
Biocompatible Materials
Bioengineering
Cataracts
Diabetic retinopathy
Forecasts and trends
Health aspects
Humans
Hydrogels
Medicine
Molecular structure
Polyvinyl alcohol
Prostheses and Implants
Review
Stress analysis
Transplants & implants
Vitrectomy
Vitreous Body
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2314-6133
2314-6141
DOI:10.1155/2014/351804