Preparation and in vivo investigation of artificial cornea made of nano-hydroxyapatite/poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel composite

An artificial cornea consisted of a porous nano-hydroxyapatite/poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (n-HA/PVA-H) skirt and a transparent center poly (vinyl alcohol) hydrogel (PVA-H) were prepared. The n-HA/PVA-H skirt was homogeneously porous and these pores were interconnected. Inter-penetrating network was observed along the interface between the core and the skirt. Artificial corneas were implanted in eyes of rabbit. The corneal tissues were evaluated histological. The results displayed that a good biocompatibility and interlocking had happened between artificial cornea and host tissues. This novel cornea prepared here is potential to be used clinically.