Bioengineered and Regenerative Medicine Strategies for Retina Repair

Abstract

With the development of biomedical engineering and regenerative medi- cine, new ways of treating retinal diseases are being explored. We provide a sum- mary of the most recent bioengineering strategies employed for the delivery of therapeutics and cells in the treatment of retinal diseases. We describe current chal- lenges in the field of ocular drug and cell delivery, and the way that innovative materials, advanced protein therapies, and controlled release systems are being used as potential treatments. New implants and nanoparticles are promising for drug and protein delivery, while hydrogels and biomaterial scaffolds are useful for enhanced survival and integration of transplanted retinal cells. This chapter concludes with an outlook for future studies in the field of ophthalmic delivery. Keywords