Ocular Collagen: From Architecture to Biomaterials
A 2026 Review
A new review article from researchers at East China University of Science and Technology synthesizes the current knowledge on the structural role of collagen in the eye and its use in developing biomaterials for tissue repair. Published in the journal Eye Discovery, the article outlines collagen's hierarchical architecture, fabrication techniques, and potential clinical applications.
Article Overview
The review, titled "Ocular collagen: From architecture to biomaterials," systematically evaluates the distribution of collagen across ocular tissues and the progress in constructing materials for ophthalmic repair. The analysis is structured around three primary areas:
- The structural and physiological role of collagen.
- Methods for fabricating it into biomaterials.
- Its specific applications in ocular medicine.
Structural Organization and Physiological Role
Collagen is identified as the primary structural protein in the ocular extracellular matrix. It forms hierarchical assemblies—from triple-helical molecules to fibrils and larger networks—which provide essential mechanical support to eye tissues.
Through integrin-mediated interactions, collagen regulates cellular behaviors including adhesion, migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Its specialized distribution in tissues such as the cornea, retina, sclera, conjunctiva, and eyelids enables distinct optical, barrier, protective, and biomechanical functions.
Collagen's hierarchical assemblies provide the mechanical support essential for the eye's function, while its interactions with cells guide critical regenerative processes.
Fabrication into Biomaterials
The article details various techniques used to process collagen into forms suitable for medical applications:
- 3D Printing: Allows for the creation of scaffolds with controlled geometry.
- Electrospinning: Produces fibrous mats that can mimic natural tissue structure.
- Electrodeposition and In-Situ Injection: Enable precise local delivery and formation of materials.
These methods facilitate the engineering of collagen into diverse forms, including hydrogels, films, fibers, porous scaffolds, and injectable systems. This allows researchers to control critical properties like fibril alignment and porosity.
Applications in Ophthalmic Repair
Collagen-based materials have been explored for numerous ocular applications, including:
- Cornea: Substitutes and bandage lenses.
- Retina and Choroid: Cell carriers, drug-delivery systems, and Bruch's membrane analogs.
- Ocular Surface and Adnexa: Conjunctival reconstruction, eyelid repair, scleral reinforcement, devices for glaucoma surgery, and lacrimal duct repair.
Scientific Context and Identified Challenges
The review notes that a central challenge in ocular tissue engineering is bridging the gap from natural tissues to synthetic biological scaffolds that can emulate complex microenvironments.
Previous research has predominantly focused on collagen's biocompatibility as a single substrate, with more limited exploration of its hierarchical structure, cross-linking kinetics, and biomechanical adaptability at specific anatomical sites.
Conclusions and Future Directions
The article concludes that collagen is considered a preferred substrate for ocular regenerative medicine due to its processability, biocompatibility, and customizable degradation profiles.
It suggests that future research will likely focus on:
- Developing intelligent collagen scaffolds with spatio-temporal responsiveness.
- Creating multi-material composites, such as hybrids with synthetic polymers, to address mechanical limitations.
Publication Information
- Journal: Eye Discovery
- Publisher: Elsevier
- Access: Open-access. The article processing charge (APC) will be waived from 2026 to 2028.
- Official Journal Of: Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, China.
- Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edisc.2026.100024
- Journal Website: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/eye-discovery