The prevalence of allergies is rising every year. For those who suffer from it, ocular inflammation and irritation can be inconvenient and unpleasant. Anti-allergy eyedrops are a readily available treatment for symptoms of ocular allergy (OA) and can help allergy sufferers regain normal function. However, the eye is a delicate organ, and multiuse eyedrops often utilise preservatives to deter microbial growth. Preservatives such as benzalkonium chloride (BAK) have been shown to induce decreased cell viability. Therefore, during a period of high localised inflammation and eye rubbing, it is important that the preservatives used in topical medicines do not contribute to the weakening of the corneal structure. This review explores ocular allergy and the thinning and protrusion of the cornea that is characteristic of the disease keratoconus (KC) and how it relates to a weakened corneal structure. It also describes the use of BAK and its documented effects on the integrity of the cornea. It was found that atopy and eye rubbing are significant risk factors for KC, and BAK can severely decrease the integrity of the corneal structure when compared to other preservatives and preservative-free alternatives.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/biology12071036 | DOI Listing |
Acta Biomater
January 2025
Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100005, China. Electronic address:
Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) causes vision loss and is often treated by simple corneal epithelial cell transplantation with poor long-term efficiency. Here, we present a biomimetic bilayer limbal implant using digital light processing 3D printing technology with gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) bioinks containing corneal epithelial cells (CECs) and corneal stromal stem cells (CSSCs), which can transplant CECs and improve the limbal niche simultaneously. The GelMA/PEGDA hydrogel possessed robust mechanical properties to support surgical transplantation and had good transparency, suitable swelling and degradation rate as a corneal implant.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActa Biomater
January 2025
Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA. Electronic address:
Hydrogels composed of collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, are widely used as scaffolds for tissue engineering due to their ability to support cellular activity. However, collagen hydrogels with encapsulated cells often experience bulk contraction due to cell-generated forces, and conventional strategies to mitigate this undesired deformation often compromise either the fibrillar microstructure or cytocompatibility of the collagen. To support the spreading of encapsulated cells while preserving the structural integrity of the gels, we present an interpenetrating network (IPN) of two distinct collagen networks with different crosslinking mechanisms and microstructures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTransplant Rev (Orlando)
January 2025
Laboratory of Ocular Immunology, Transplantation, and Regeneration, Schepens Eye Research Institute of Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:
Immunology depends on maintaining a delicate balance within the human body, and disruptions can result in conditions such as autoimmune diseases, immunodeficiencies, and hypersensitivity reactions. This balance is especially crucial in transplantation immunology, where one of the primary challenges is preventing graft rejection. Such rejection can lead to organ failure, increased patient mortality, and higher healthcare costs due to the limited availability of donor tissues relative to patient needs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFOphthalmology
January 2025
Cornea and External Disease, Department of Ophthalmology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida; Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida.
Ophthalmology
January 2025
Casey Eye Institute, Cornea Division, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon.
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