Low Energy Blue Pulsed Light‐Activated Injectable Materials for Restoring Thinning Corneas

Abstract

Many alternatives to human donor corneas are being developed to meet the global shortage of donated tissues. However, corneal transplantation remains the gold standard for diseases resulting in thinning corneas. In this study, transparent low energy photoactivated extracellular matrix‐mimicking materials are developed for intrastromal injection to restore stromal thickness. The injectable biomaterials are comprised of short peptides and glycosaminoglycans (chondroitin, hyaluronic acid) that assemble into a hydrogel when pulsed with low‐energy blue light. The dosage of pulsed‐blue light needed for material activation is minimal at 8.5 mW cm−2, thus circumventing any blue light cytotoxicity. Intrastromal injection of these light‐activated biomaterials in rat corneas shows that two iterations of the formulations remain stable in situ without stimulating significant inflammation or neovascularization. The use of low light intensities and the ability of the developed materials to stably rebuild and change the curvature of the cornea tissue make these formulations attractive for clinical translation.

Advancements in Bioengineered Corneas for Vision Restoration -A Systematic Review

“…A study on low-energy blue pulsed light-activated injectable materials has also been conducted to restore thinning corneas [13]. These materials, composed of short peptides and glycosaminoglycans, form a hydrogel when exposed to low-energy blue light.…”

“…The injectable biomaterials have been tested in rat corneas and showed stability in situ without significant inflammation or neovascularization. The ability to rebuild and change the curvature of the cornea tissue using low light intensities makes these materials a promising option for clinical translation [13].…”

“…Another innovative approach involves the development of transparent low-energy photoactivated extracellular matrix-mimicking materials for restoring thinning corneas [13].…”

A unique and biocompatible approach for corneal collagen crosslinking in vivo

“…The cornea is a clear avascular ocular tissue that serves as a protective barrier against infections and [1, 2] is responsible for most of the refractive power of the eye [3]. However, corneal thinning diseases distort vision, affecting daily life activities and the mental health of patients [4]. Keratoconus is a corneal disease characterized by bulging of the corneal surface due to progressive weakening and thinning of the corneal stroma [5–7].…”

Inflammation-suppressing cornea-in-a-syringe with anti-viral GF19 peptide promotes regeneration in HSV-1 infected rabbit corneas

“…Other commercial sealants such as polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based ReSure and Ocuseal are also sub-optimal [7][8][9] , while fibrin glue forms a poor seal and degrades rapidly 10 . Other sealants developed include ones based on chitosan 11 , gelatinmethacrylate (GELGYM and GelCORE) 12,13 and collagen-based peptides 14 , most requiring photocrosslinking to work.…”