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Current Situation and Challenges in Vitreous Substitutes
Author(s) -
MondeloGarcía Cristina,
BandínVilar Enrique,
GarcíaQuintanilla Laura,
CastroBalado Ana,
del Amo Eva M.,
GilMartínez María,
BlancoTeijeiro María José,
GonzálezBarcia Miguel,
ZarraFerro Irene,
FernándezFerreiro Anxo,
OteroEspinar Francisco J.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
macromolecular bioscience
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.924
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1616-5195
pISSN - 1616-5187
DOI - 10.1002/mabi.202100066
Subject(s) - biocompatible material , vitreoretinal surgery , self healing hydrogels , tamponade , clinical practice , silicone , retinal tear , biomaterial , nanotechnology , retinal detachment , medicine , biomedical engineering , materials science , ophthalmology , chemistry , retinal , organic chemistry , polymer chemistry , family medicine
Vitreo‐retinal disorders constitute a significant portion of treatable ocular diseases. These pathologies often require vitreo‐retinal surgery and, as a consequence, the use of vitreous substitutes. Nowadays, the vitreous substitutes that are used in clinical practice are mainly divided into gases (air, SF 6 , C 2 F 6 , C 3 F 8 ) and liquids (perfluorocarbon liquids, silicone oils, and heavy silicone oils). There are specific advantages and drawbacks to each of these, which determine their clinical indications. However, developing the ideal biomaterial for vitreous substitution continues to be one of the most important challenges in ophthalmology, and a multidisciplinary approach is required. In this sense, recent research has focused on the development of biocompatible, biodegradable, and injectable hydrogels (natural, synthetic, and smart), which also act as medium and long‐term internal tamponade agents. This comprehensive review aims to cover the main characteristics and indications for use of the extensive range of vitreous substitutes that are currently used in clinical practice, before going on to describe the hydrogels that have been developed recently and which have emerged as promising biomaterials for vitreous substitution.