title: Bioceramics in ophthalmology.
abstract: The benefits of ceramics in biomedical applications have been universally appreciated as they exhibit an extraordinarily broad set of physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties which can be properly tailored by acting on their composition, porosity and surface texture to increase their versatility and suitability for targeted healthcare applications. Bioceramics have traditionally been used for the repair of hard tissues, such as bone and teeth, mainly due to their suitable strength for load-bearing applications, wear resistance (especially alumina, zirconia and composites thereof) and, in some cases, bone-bonding ability (calcium orthophosphates and bioactive glasses). Bioceramics have been also applied in other medical areas, like ophthalmic surgery; although their use in such a context has been scientifically documented since the late 1700s, the potential and importance of ceramic ocular implants still seem to be underestimated and an exhaustive, critical assessment is currently lacking in the relevant literature. The present review aims to fill this gap by giving a comprehensive picture of the ceramic-based materials and implants that are currently used in ophthalmology and pointing out the strengths and weaknesses of the existing devices. A prospect for future research is also provided, highlighting the potential of new, smart bioceramics able to carry specific added values which could have a significant impact on the treatment of ocular diseases.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Materials Physics and Engineering, Applied Science and Technology Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 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, 10129 Torino, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vitale-Brovarone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D005137:Eye, Artificial; D006801:Humans; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation*; D020273:Orbital Implants; D011474:Prosthesis Design
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials
keywords: Alumina; Bioactive glass; Biocompatibility; Ceramic-based composites; Hydroxyapatite