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Polymers 2010, 2(3), 286-322; doi:10.3390/polym2030286

Review

The Use of Polymers in the Treatment of Retinal Detachment: Current Trends and Future Perspectives

Francesco Baino

Materials Science and Chemical Engineering Department, Politecnico di Torino, Corso Duca degli Abruzzi 24, 10129 Torino, Italy

Received: 2 July 2010; in revised form: 24 August 2010 / Accepted: 24 August 2010 / Published: 9 September 2010

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofunctional Polymers for Medical Applications)

Download PDF Full-Text [500 KB, uploaded 9 September 2010 12:15 CEST]

Abstract: Procedures for the treatment of retinal detachment and related conditions have been successfully improved upon in recent years thanks to the advent of new therapies and biomaterials. This review, after giving an overview on eye structure and function, focuses on the treatment of retinal detachment and examines the role and features of the materials used in vitreoretinal surgery, emphasizing scleral buckling and short-term/long-term vitreous tamponade. Specifically, the limitations of existing biomaterials are underlined, based on experimental studies and with particular reference to cells/material interactions. Finally, current and future trends of biomaterials’ research in the field of vitreoretinal surgery are considered and discussed.

Keywords: retina; vitreous; scleral buckling; vitreous substitute; silicone; hydrogel

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