Corenal Diseases

Corneal blindness is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. For various infectious and non-infectious corneal diseases, current clinical repair strategies include corneal lesion debridement, conjunctival flap coverage, amniotic membrane transplantation, corneal transplantation, contact lens application, and injectable sealants. Injectable hydrogels, as smart materials that transition from a liquid precursor to a solid gel in response to external stimuli (e.g., light, temperature, or chemical cross-linking), enable precise filling of corneal defects via minimally invasive injection. They offer superior morphological adaptability, conforming tightly to irregular wound surfaces and achieving sutureless closure. Moreover, they promote regenerative repair of the epithelium, stroma, and nerves, significantly reducing patient discomfort, infection risk, recovery time, and healthcare costs, thereby advancing the paradigm of corneal repair from "transplant substitution" to "in situ regeneration."