The invention relates generally to the fields of biology and health sciences. More particularly, the invention relates to compositions and methods for modulating cellular physiology and pathological processing using a combination of compounds that can be found in amniotic membrane tissue and umbilical cord tissue preparations.

A structured artificial construct that allows corneal endothelium to be regenerated from isolated cells outside the human or animal body is provided. The structured artificial construct is formed from a dome-shaped base body with a honeycomb structure formed in a concave side of the base body. Methods for generating the structured artificial construct are also provided.

Disclosed are: a polymer for treating the surface of a medical device such as a contact lens to suppress the reduction in lubricity of the device even when the device is scrubbed; a medical device having the polymer on the surface so that the reduction in lubricity over time is suppressed; and a wetting agent containing the polymer. The polymer for treating the surface is a copolymer which is water-soluble and includes as constitutional units the following monomers A and B: monomer A: a monomer containing a (meth)acryloyl group and an ester or amide structure in a molecule, in which the ester or amide structure is not constituted by including a part of the (meth)acryloyl group; monomer B: a monomer containing a (meth)acrylamide group in a molecule and having a structure different from that of the monomer A.

The invention provides methods of making microparticle and nanoparticle ocular implants from a compositions comprising: 99 to 60% (w/w) of a photopolymerizable composition selected from the group of fragments or monomers consisting of polyalkylene glycol diacrylate and polyalkylene glycol dimethacrylate, wherein the photopolymerizable composition has a molecular weight in the range of 100 to 20,000 Dalton; a biodegradable polymer selected from the group consisting of aliphatic polyester-based polyurethanes, polylactides, polycaprolactones, polyorthoesters and mixtures, copolymers, and block copolymers thereof; a photoinitiator; and a therapeutic agent.

Glaucoma treatment systems are disclosed. In various example, the glaucoma treatment systems include a body and a fluid conduit configured to facilitate an evacuation of fluid, such as aqueous humor, from a fluid-filled body cavity, such as an anterior chamber of an eye. In some examples, the fluid conduit is soft and compliant, and the glaucoma treatment system includes one or more stiffening members coupled with the fluid conduit to temporarily stiffen the fluid conduit and help aid in the delivery of the glaucoma treatment device. In some examples, the stiffening members are removable from the fluid conduit after the glaucoma treatment system has been implanted.

Composite materials, specifically to materials used in medicine, in particular, in ophthalmology for the manufacturing of optical ophthalmic implants, mainly intraocular lenses (IOL), intended for vision correction after cataract removal. The polymerization rate of the material is controlled in order to eliminate defects in the ophthalmic implant profile, control the geometric dimensions, reduce the finished product glistening while keeping optimal physical and mechanical properties. The material for the manufacturing of ophthalmic implants by photo-polymerization method includes: a) 60-70 wt. % oligomer of urethanedi(meth)acrylate with terminal (meth)acrylate fragments; b) 20-40 wt. % of (meth)acrylate monomers with aromatic substituents in the side chain; c) 5-25 wt. % of (meth)acrylate monomers with aliphatic branched substituents in the side chain; d) at least 0.2 wt. % of a UV-absorbing component; e) 0.1 to 1 wt. % of photopolymerization initiator; and f) 0.005 to 0.5 wt. % of a radical polymerization inhibitor.

The present invention provides a scaffold for culturing retinal tissue comprising an amount of gelatin, an amount of chondroitin sulfate, an amount of hyaluronic acid, wherein the amount of gelatin, chondroitin sulfate, and hyaluronic acid are prepared into a three-dimensional monolith, wherein the monolith is sectioned into planar sheets, and an amount of laminin-521.

There is provided a material comprising a multi-block thermogelling polymer, said multi-block thermogelling polymer comprising a hydrophilic polymer block; a thermosensitive polymer block; and a hydrophobic polymer block, wherein the hydrophilic polymer block, the thermosensitive polymer block and the hydrophobic polymer block are chemically coupled together by at least one of urethane/carbamate, carbonate, ester linkages or combinations thereof, and wherein the material is suitable for use as a vitreous substitute. Also provided are a method of preparing said material and a synthetic vitreous humour or part thereof comprising said material.

Prostamide-containing biodegradable intraocular implants, prostamide compounds, prostamide-containing pharmaceutical compositions, and methods for making and using such implants and compositions for the immediate and sustained reduction of intraocular pressure and treatment of glaucoma in an eye of a patient are described.

Presented herein are compositions and methods for generating stem cell derived retinal tissue and isolated retinal progenitor cells for use in the treatment of retinal degenerative diseases and disorders.