Hydrogels for Artificial Vitreous: From Prolonged Substitution to Elicited Regeneration

A diversity of artificial vitreous has been long investigated as substitutes for the native counterparts to repair retinal tear and detachment. Emphasis has been placed on improving the optical and mechanical properties, as well as the biocompatibility and biodegradability. Synthetic hydrogels, because of the versatile programmability and intrinsic resemblance to the native vitreous, are emerging as promising alternatives. Recently, prolonged substitution is achieved by curtailing degradation-caused changes in the intraocular pressure, whereas a novel thermogel is presented that elicits the reformation of vitreous-like-body during the degradation process. In this Viewpoint, we envision that the latter methodology would pave a new path towards developing clinically-effective artificial vitreous. In line with this, we have outlined elementary guidelines on steering from prolonging substitution to eliciting regeneration and suggested several strategies of synthesizing regeneration-eliciting hydrogels, for researchers in the field of hydrogel-based artificial vitreous.