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Bioengineering
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Bioengineering Strategies for Ophthalmic Diseases
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Bioengineering Strategies for Ophthalmic Diseases

A special issue of Bioengineering (ISSN 2306-5354). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering and Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 10557

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Jae Yong Kim

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Ophthalmology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul 05505, Republic of Korea
Interests: ophthalmology; cataract surgery; cornea
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The Special Issue "Bioengineering Strategies for Ophthalmic Diseases" explores the latest advancements, trends, and innovations in the field of ophthalmology. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in diagnostic tools, therapeutic approaches, and techniques for various ophthalmic diseases.

This Special Issue begins by discussing the recent progress in the diagnosis of ophthalmic diseases, including advancements in imaging technology, genetic testing, and biomarker identification. It explores novel diagnostic approaches that enable earlier detection and more accurate assessment of disease progression.

This Special Issue highlights the latest therapeutic approaches for ophthalmic diseases, ranging from traditional pharmacotherapy to emerging modalities such as gene therapy, bioengineered corneal implants, retinal prostheses, and sustained-release drug delivery systems. It emphasizes the development of targeted therapies and personalized treatment strategies based on specific disease subtypes.

It also addresses the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in ophthalmology, including AI-based algorithms for disease classification, automated image analysis, and predictive modeling.

Overall, this Special Issue aims to provide insights into the recent advances and trends in ophthalmic disease treatment and future directions in bioengineered therapies for ophthalmic diseases.

Prof. Dr. Jae Yong Kim
Guest Editor

Basanta Bhujel
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Bioengineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ophthalmic diseases
  • imaging technology
  • artificial intelligence
  • retinal regeneration
  • corneal implants
  • drug delivery

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 4838 KB  
Article
Real-Time Control of a Focus Tunable Lens for Presbyopia Correction Using Ciliary Muscle Biopotentials and Artificial Neural Networks
by Bishesh Sigdel, Sven Schumayer, Sebastian Kaltenstadler, Eberhart Zrenner, Volker Bucher, Albrecht Rothermel and Torsten Straßer
Bioengineering 2025, 12(11), 1228; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12111228 - 10 Nov 2025
Viewed by 519
Abstract
Ageing results in the progressive loss of near vision, known as presbyopia, which impacts individuals and society. Existing corrective methods offer only partial compensation and do not restore dynamic focusing at varying distances. This work presents a closed-loop correction system for presbyopia, employing [...] Read more.
Ageing results in the progressive loss of near vision, known as presbyopia, which impacts individuals and society. Existing corrective methods offer only partial compensation and do not restore dynamic focusing at varying distances. This work presents a closed-loop correction system for presbyopia, employing biopotential signals from the ciliary muscle and an artificial neural network to predict the eye’s accommodative state in real time. Non-invasive contact lens electrodes collect biopotential data, which are preprocessed and classified using a multi-layer perceptron. The classifier output guides a control system that adjusts an external focus-tunable lens, enabling both accommodation and disaccommodation similar to a young eye. The system demonstrated an accuracy of 0.79, with F1-scores of 0.78 for prediction of accommodation and 0.77 for disaccommodation. Using the system in two presbyopic subjects, near visual acuity improved from 0.28 and 0.38 to 0.04 and −0.03 logMAR, while distance acuity remained stable. Despite challenges such as signal quality and individual variability, the findings demonstrate the feasibility of restoring near-natural accommodation in presbyopia using neuromuscular signals and adaptive lens control. Future research will focus on system validation, expanding the dataset, and pre-clinical testing in implantable devices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioengineering Strategies for Ophthalmic Diseases)
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26 pages, 5057 KB  
Article
Rapamycin Mitigates Corneal Damage in a Mouse Model of Alkali Burn Injury
by Basanta Bhujel, Woojune Hur, Seorin Lee, Hun Lee, Ho Seok Chung and Jae Yong Kim
Bioengineering 2025, 12(9), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12090998 - 19 Sep 2025
Viewed by 985
Abstract
Alkali burns to the cornea cause severe damage characterized by an intense inflammatory response driven by inflammatory cytokines, which orchestrate pathological processes, including neovascularization, fibrosis, apoptosis, abnormal cell proliferation, and disorganization of the extracellular matrix (ECM), often resulting in permanent vision impairment or [...] Read more.
Alkali burns to the cornea cause severe damage characterized by an intense inflammatory response driven by inflammatory cytokines, which orchestrate pathological processes, including neovascularization, fibrosis, apoptosis, abnormal cell proliferation, and disorganization of the extracellular matrix (ECM), often resulting in permanent vision impairment or loss. Rapamycin (RAPA), a well-known mTOR inhibitor with potent immunosuppressive activity and pleiotropic therapeutic effects, was investigated as a novel restorative modality for promoting corneal wound healing in a mouse model of alkali burn injury. Topical RAPA treatment significantly reduced clinical signs of inflammation and decreased the infiltration of F4/80+ macrophages and CD45+ leukocytes, along with suppressed expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-17A). RAPA also markedly downregulated angiogenic mediators, such as VEGF, and endothelial markers, like CD31, resulting in significant inhibition of neovascularization. Furthermore, it prevented fibrotic tissue formation and myofibroblast activation, as evidenced by reduced α-SMA levels, and attenuated pathological matrix remodeling through decreased MMP-9 expression. Notably, RAPA preserved epithelial barrier function by maintaining the tight junction protein ZO-1 and reduced both apoptotic cell death (TUNEL) and dysregulated proliferation (Ki67+), thereby preserving the functional and structural integrity of the cornea. In conclusion, RAPA represents a promising therapeutic candidate for managing severe corneal alkali burn injuries, with the potential to enhance corneal wound healing, minimize long-term complications, and protect visual function. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioengineering Strategies for Ophthalmic Diseases)
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13 pages, 8842 KB  
Article
Air-Assisted Dome Drainage in Acute Corneal Hydrops: A 3D-OCT-Guided Approach
by Antonio Moramarco, Matteo Elifani, Marian Sergiu Zimbru, Andrea Rosolia, Maurizio Mete and Luigi Fontana
Bioengineering 2025, 12(8), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12080867 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 3244
Abstract
To describe a technique for managing acute corneal hydrops in eyes with keratoconus using dome stromal drainage with intracameral air injection under real-time three-dimensional (3D) microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance. We describe a retrospective case series of six eyes from six patients [...] Read more.
To describe a technique for managing acute corneal hydrops in eyes with keratoconus using dome stromal drainage with intracameral air injection under real-time three-dimensional (3D) microscope-integrated optical coherence tomography (OCT) guidance. We describe a retrospective case series of six eyes from six patients with keratoconus who developed acute corneal hydrops. All eyes underwent intracameral air injection with controlled dome puncture for stromal fluid drainage, without the use of sutures. The procedure was performed using a 3D visualization system that enables integrated and simultaneous viewing of the surgical field and intraoperative OCT scan (a 3D digitally assisted visualization system that displayed a split-screen view of the surgical field and OCT cross-sections simultaneously). Postoperative resolution of edema and improvement in clarity were documented. The resolution of corneal edema allowed for subsequent mushroom-shaped penetrating keratoplasty performed with a femtosecond laser in four eyes of four patients. All six eyes showed significant resolution of corneal edema within 2 to 4 weeks. Stromal clefts collapsed rapidly after drainage. In each case, the thick edema was reduced to a confined leucoma. No intraoperative or postoperative complications were observed. All four eyes that underwent a femtosecond laser-assisted mushroom-shaped penetrating keratoplasty showed optimal anatomical and functional success. Air-assisted dome drainage, combined with simultaneous 3D and OCT visualization, is a safe and effective technique for treating acute corneal hydrops. This technology enables real-time decision-making and enhances surgical precision, opening the door to advanced procedures that are otherwise limited by corneal opacity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioengineering Strategies for Ophthalmic Diseases)
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18 pages, 4051 KB  
Article
Change in Mechanical Property of Rat Brain Suffering from Chronic High Intraocular Pressure
by Yukai Zeng, Kunya Zhang, Zhengyuan Ma and Xiuqing Qian
Bioengineering 2025, 12(8), 787; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12080787 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 2749
Abstract
Glaucoma is a trans-synaptic neurodegenerative disease, and the pathological increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor of glaucoma. High IOP alters microstructure and morphologies of the brain tissue. Since mechanical properties of the brain are sensitive to the alteration of [...] Read more.
Glaucoma is a trans-synaptic neurodegenerative disease, and the pathological increase in intraocular pressure (IOP) is a major risk factor of glaucoma. High IOP alters microstructure and morphologies of the brain tissue. Since mechanical properties of the brain are sensitive to the alteration of the tissue microstructure, we investigate how varying durations of chronic elevated IOP alter brain mechanical properties. A chronic high IOP rat model was induced by episcleral vein cauterization with subconjunctival injection of 5-Fluorouracil. At 2, 4 and 8 weeks after induction, indentation tests were performed on the brain slices to measure mechanical properties in the hippocampus, lateral geniculate nucleus and occipital lobe of both hemispheres. Meanwhile, the brain’s microstructure was assessed via F-actin and myelin staining. Compared to the blank control group, the Young’s modulus decreased in all three brain regions in the highIOP experimental groups. F-actin fluorescence intensity and myelin area fraction were reduced in the hippocampus, while β-amyloid levels and tau phosphorylation were elevated in the experimental groups. Our study provides insight into Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis by demonstrating how chronic high IOP alters the brain’s mechanical properties. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioengineering Strategies for Ophthalmic Diseases)
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Review

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27 pages, 1293 KB  
Review
Corneal Epithelial Tissue Engineering Strategy Based on Cell Viability Optimization: A Review and Prospects
by Guoguo Tang, Miaomiao Chi, Yang Zhai, Rongmei Peng and Jing Hong
Bioengineering 2025, 12(11), 1175; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering12111175 - 29 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1757
Abstract
Corneal transplantation is often considered the last resort for severe corneal epithelial disorders, especially limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Tissue engineering offers novel strategies to mitigate the shortage of corneal transplant donors. However, low cell viability and compromised functionality in tissue engineering represent [...] Read more.
Corneal transplantation is often considered the last resort for severe corneal epithelial disorders, especially limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Tissue engineering offers novel strategies to mitigate the shortage of corneal transplant donors. However, low cell viability and compromised functionality in tissue engineering represent a major challenge. In this review, we describe the key characteristics required for corneal epithelium bioscaffolds. We summarize the research progress centered on optimizing cell activity and functionality in the past 10 years from four key perspectives: the sourcing of cells, seed cell pretreatments, biomaterial optimization, and engineered culture system innovation. The sources, isolation, and induction methods of seed cells are described, and the advantages and disadvantages of existing clinical treatment methods are compared. Furthermore, we compare existing clinical therapies and summarize promising seed cell pretreatment strategies for the first time. Several innovative engineered cell culture systems are exhibited as well. We demonstrated how to preserve cell viability through bioscaffold stiffness modulation, topographic design, and application of innovative fabrication techniques. Finally, we propose a personalized and precise regeneration strategy based on high-resolution images, digital modeling, bioprinting, and machine learning. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioengineering Strategies for Ophthalmic Diseases)
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