Collagen-Based Therapeutics in Ocular Regeneration and Repair: A Comprehensive Review of Corneal and Eyelid Applications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22034/JATE.2026.231Keywords:
Collagen, Eyelid Applications, CornealAbstract
Conventional treatments present significant challenges for the treatment and repair of corneal and eyelid disorders. Collagen (COL), the most abundant structural protein in the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays a critical role in the repair and regeneration of corneal and eyelid disorders due to its similarity to the ocular ECM, biocompatibility, biodegradation, and versatility in processing. This literature review aimed to evaluate the impact of collagen-based therapies on the treatment of anterior segment diseases. This review summarizes the properties of natural (decellularized matrices), tissue-engineered, and recombinant COL. It discusses their applications in the treatment and repair of corneal and eyelid diseases. According to a review of previous studies, COL-based biomaterials promote epithelial cell adhesion, extracellular matrix remodeling, tissue regeneration, and corneal nerve repair through integrin-mediated cellular interactions. These properties enhance ocular healing, biomechanical stability, and visual restoration in anterior segment diseases. Finally, the use of COL could be a promising approach for repairing corneal and eyelid disorders in future studies.
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