Corneal bioengineering via electrospun nanofibers and nanoparticles.

This article focuses on the application of nanotechnology in corneal tissue engineering, emphasizing the use of electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds and polymeric nanoparticles to improve corneal repair and drug delivery. Nanomaterials enhance scaffold properties such as mechanical strength, optical transparency, permeability, and enable targeted, sustained release of therapeutic agents to address inflammation, infection, and neovascularization. Both natural and synthetic polymers, alone or in hybrid composites, are employed to fabricate biocompatible, biodegradable scaffolds that mimic the corneal extracellular matrix and support cellular adhesion, proliferation, and differentiation. The review also discusses characterization methods for engineered scaffolds, preclinical testing models, and highlights challenges including achieving controlled degradation, maintaining optical clarity, and replicating the cornea’s multilayered structure. Future directions suggest integrating nanotechnology with bioprinting, stem cell therapy, and stimulus-responsive materials to develop patient-specific, multifunctional corneal constructs for clinical translation.