title: Vitreous substitutes: challenges and directions.
abstract: The natural vitreous body has a fine structure and complex functions. The imitation of the natural vitreous body by vitreous substitutes is a challenging work for both researchers and ophthalmologists. Gases, silicone oil, heavy silicone oil and hydrogels, particularly the former two vitreous substitutes are clinically widely used with certain complications. Those, however, are not real artificial vitreous due to lack of structure and function like the natural vitreous body. This article reviews the situations, challenges, and future directions in the development of vitreous substitutes, particularly the experimental and clinical use of a new artificial foldable capsular vitreous body.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Qian-Ying
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510060, Guangdong Province, China.
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi Province, China.
authors.forename: Yan-Nian
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Hui
keywords: artificial vitreous; foldable capsular vitreous body; silicone oil; vitreous substitute