title: Vitreous substitutes: the present and the future.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Guicciardini 9, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Simone
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6920-7021
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Donati
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Guicciardini 9, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Simona Maria
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Caprani
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Guicciardini 9, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Airaghi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Guicciardini 9, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Riccardo
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-2280-9981
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vinciguerra
authors.affiliation: Endocrine Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bartalena
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Second University of Naples, 80121 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Testa
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Polytechnic University of Ancona, 60121 Ancona, Italy.
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mariotti
authors.affiliation: Genetic Laboratory, Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Porta
authors.affiliation: Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, Second University of Naples, 80121 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Simonelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Morphological Sciences, Section of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Insubria, Via Guicciardini 9, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1334-0974
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Azzolini
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006801:Humans; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials