title: Biomaterials for orbital implants and ocular prostheses: overview and future prospects.
abstract: The removal of an eye is one of the most difficult and dramatic decisions that a surgeon must consider in case of severe trauma or life-threatening diseases to the patient. The philosophy behind the design of orbital implants has evolved significantly over the last 60 years, and the use of ever more appropriate biomaterials has successfully reduced the complication rate and improved the patient's clinical outcomes and satisfaction. This review provides a comprehensive picture of the main advances that have been made in the development of innovative biomaterials for orbital implants and ocular prostheses. Specifically, the advantages, limitations and performance of the existing devices are examined and critically compared, and the potential of new, smart and suitable biomaterials are described and discussed in detail to outline a forecast for future research directions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, Italy. Electronic address: francesco.baino@polito.it.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baino
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, Italy; Istituto Superiore Mario Boella, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perero
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferraris
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Miola
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Balagna
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Enrica
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Verné
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vitale-Brovarone
authors.affiliation: S.O.C. Oculistica, Azienda Ospedaliera Nazionale SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Via Venezia 16, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Coggiola
authors.affiliation: S.O.C. Oculistica, Azienda Ospedaliera Nazionale SS. Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo, Via Venezia 16, Alessandria, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dolcino
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ferraris
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005137:Eye, Artificial; D006801:Humans; D020273:Orbital Implants
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials
keywords: Antibacterial properties; Enucleation; Ocular prosthesis; Orbital implant; Porous biomaterials