Biomaterials-enabled regenerative medicine in corneal applications

Abstract

The human cornea is the transparent surface of the eye, which serves as the main refractive element of the visual system. Its function depends upon its optical clarity so irreversible loss of transparency due to disease or damage results in permanent vision loss or blindness, necessitating corneal transplantation (keratoplasty) in entirety or in part. While keratoplasty is considered as one of the most successful forms of transplantation, lack of availability of donor tissues and rejection are major limiting factors. Advances in knowledge of biomaterials and stem cell biology have paved the way for tissue engineering of various organs including cornea. An ideal biomimetic for corneal tissue replacement would be the one which is transparent, provides mechanical support, promotes epithelial resurfacing, corneal innervation, and integrates into the surrounding corneo-scleral tissues and combats infection when challenged. This chapter reviews several of the advances made in development of biomaterials for promoting regeneration of the human cornea, with or without exogenous cells.