Abstract

The incidence of ocular diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, and glaucoma is projected to increase significantly by 2050. Aside from severely affecting quality of life, visual impairment can also increase morbidity and mortality in non-ocular diseases. Hydrogels, which can be designed to mimic normal tissue with adequate biosafety, have played an important role in the biomedical field. Studies have shown that hydrogels can extend the residence time of drugs, maintain drug release, and improve the bioavailability of drugs. New hydrogel-based materials and designs are therefore crucial for advancing ocular disease research and are a trending topic in the field. This article reviews the construction methods, related chemicals, and performance characteristics of novel hydrogels based on physical, chemical interactions and composite hydrogels with nanoparticles. The design and applications of these new hydrogels in the treatment of ocular diseases such as uveitis and macular diseases are also discussed.