Abstract
It is occasionally essential to surgically remove the damaged eye of the patient in the case of serious oculoorbital injuries, intraocular cancers, and other life-threatening diseases. An orbital implant is placed into the anophthalmic socket after the eye is removed to provide adequate volume reinstatement and revamp the cosmetic look of a normal eye. In the previous few decades, implant design and material selection criteria have progressed from basic nonporous polymeric spheres to devices with more complicated shapes and functions to ensure improved long-term clinical results. Because of their highly interconnected porous design, ceramic and polymeric porous implants have found popularity as a passive framework for fibrovascular ingrowth, with lower obstacle rates and the option of setting to improve prosthetic eye mobility. These materials, however, are not without flaws. The danger of migration and extrusion, infections after surgery, and poor motility transferred to the cosmetic ocular prosthesis are important elements of orbital implants of today. As a result, the development of novel biomaterials with improved functionalities (i.e., antibacterial effect, angiogenesis, and in situ moldability) that allow better eye replacement is more desirable than ever, highlighting one of the most challenging aspects of research topics in the field of ocular implants. This study highlights the history of orbital implants. It gives an outline of current advancements in the area, over and above some essential observations for materials design, selection, characterization, and transformation to clinical applications.
Introduction
Since the first coralline hydroxyapatite porous orbital implant was introduced in the early 1980s for eye replacement, various more modified porous implants have been produced (). In cases of different circumstances, untreatable, frequently serious illnesses affecting the oculoorbital structures of the patient, a surgeon must propose the removal of an eye (; ). There are various reasons to consider this extreme treatment, including irreversible eye injury from trauma, severe intraocular infection, and malignant intraorbital tumors or agonizing blindness (). Surgical removal of orbital soft tissue subjects should be accomplished in three ways, reliant on the pathophysiology of the individual patient (). In the last 2 decades, orbital implantation has been rapidly increasing, as manifested by the increasing research (Figure 1). Evisceration is a surgical procedure that involves removing the viscera (uvea) of the eye while leaving the extraocular muscles, Tenon’s capsule, scleral coat, and optic nerve intact. It is usually performed in a sightless and/or aching eye with no helpful optical potential because of a serious intraocular infection. Enucleation is the surgical removal of the entire eyeball by severing the optic nerve near the earth and cutting the extraocular muscles; the most common reasons for enucleation are irreversible oculoorbital injuries and malignant cancers. Exenteration is the most invasive of the three operations, and it is the sole option for certainly treating the most advanced malignant cancers in the path; it entails eradicating the entire orbital substances down to the bone. Continuous advancements in microsurgery and medicinal treatments have led to a decline in the general mean yearly prevalence of enucleations over the past 25 years, while the occurrence of serious ocular trauma and ocular cancer (frequently inherited) has remained relatively steady (). An orbital implant is placed after evisceration or enucleation to restore the missing orbital volume. The extraocular muscles stay connected to the scleral wrapper that ranks the graft in evisceration surgery. However, in enucleation surgery, the muscles must be reattached either directly to the implant (if flexible and malleable) or indirectly to a wrapping material over the implant (; ). A custom-made prosthesis that rebuilds substantial portions of the orbit and even the face skin are routinely inserted in exenterated patients. The surgeon determines the size of the orbital implant during surgery, and it is established on the anatomic demands of every individual patient (; ). It is best to choose an implant to replace 65%–75% of the original ocular globe volume ().
FIGURE 1
A (aesthetic) visual prosthesis, which fits above the graft and rests just beyond the eyelids, and every draping material utilized to conceal the implant replace the remaining volume. To allow for tissue recovery and suture absorption, the prosthesis is usually not fitted till 6–8 weeks following surgery. Artificial eyes constructed of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) have been widely used; meanwhile, in the emergence of acrylic polymers in 1940s, formerly World War II, the visual prosthesis was prepared from glass; however, they had to be worn with caution because of their extreme brittleness. PMMA visual prosthesis are often custom-made devices that exactly match the contours of the orbital tissues and replicate the cosmetic aspects of the contralateral healthy eye (e.g., iris color) (), although low-cost stock prostheses are also accessible (). If linking with an orbital implant is not possible due to cost, adhesive-retained silicone ocular prosthesis may be an alternative (). Modern enucleation methods, especially the meticulous connection of extraocular muscles to the implant, really equal evisceration in preserving artificial eye movement and aesthetic results. After evisceration or enucleation, an orbital implant is inserted within the scleral envelope, and the patient wears an ocular prosthesis to restore an appropriate cosmetic look (Figure 2).
FIGURE 2
Early problems (those happening in 6 months of operation) and late difficulties (those taking place in 6 months as soon as implant placement or beyond) succeeding anophthalmic orbit renovation are the consequence of both material and procedure correlated variables (
The “ideal one” of choice among all possible implants is presently a point of contention since each type of implant has both merits and disadvantages. All implants are still susceptible to migration/extrusion and subsequent infection, necessitating more studies to enhance the clinical results of eye replacement. As shown by the growing sum of research papers in the area directly above the previous few decennaries, this review paper was produced in reaction to the increased attention, advancement, and study effort in designing efficient orbital implants (Figure 3). A review of enucleation implants was published recently (
FIGURE 3

The images are examples of orbital implant complications: (A) axial and (B) coronal CT images displaying an orbital prosthetic implant that has relocated inferotemporal (black arrows) whereas the underlying ocular prosthesis is properly sited; (C) axial CT image illustrating the “postenucleation socket syndrome”—decreased orbital volume on the left with the posteriorly placed hydroxyapatite spherical implant; and (D) (black arrow). Reproduced with permission from (
An Overview of the Various Biomaterials for Ocular Implants
Autologous Materials
Orbital implants (OIs) are often made of artificial materials (such as ceramics and polymers); but, in rare situations, utilizing autologous ingredients to restore orbit space may be better. When it comes to adult enucleation (human-made implants are more costly), this method is frequently driven by economic considerations, or it may be favored in the juvenile persons, whose tissues and skeletal arrangements will develop and alter throughout time (
Polymeric Grafts
Polymeric orbital implants (PMOI) first appeared after the 2nd World War and are still used extensively, owing to their inexpensive cost related to different options (i.e., ceramic porous implants) for the reason of their well-established biocompatibility inertness and relative pliability (
FIGURE 4

(A) silicone spheres, (B) axial CT image of an acrylic spherical implant with ocular prosthesis implanted in vivo (thin black arrows), (C) acrylic orbital implants of the “Allen family” (Iowa implant and its conformer—upper right corner and left, respectively; universal implant—lower right; the size of the implants around 20 mm 20 mm), (D) Castroviejo implant, and (E) porous sphere. Reproduced with permission from (
The problematic rate of silicone orbital grafts is typically minimal (
Ceramic implant
The first orbital implant of Mules [a hollow glass sphere (
FIGURE 5

Example of porous orbitals: (A) coralline HA sphere and (B) various porous PE implants. Reproduced with permission from (
However, in present years, the use of glass to formulate OI has just about completely disappeared—it has been used in a few rare situations where patients could not tolerate alternative ceramic or polymeric biomaterials and autografts were not an option (
FIGURE 6

Ceramic orbital implants: (A) SEM micrograph of a Molteno M-Sphere. Reproduced with permission.
Composite Grafts
A previous study shows the multifaceted ingredients used in the production of OI. Between 1970 and 1990, two Teflon-based composite grafts, Proplast I (Teflon/carbon fiber sphere) (
FIGURE 7

Illustration of the Guthoff implant: (A) lateral and (B) frontal views.
In general, the biocompatibility of the graft was great, and the motility transfer to the visual prosthesis was excellent (
Magnetic Implants
One of the most pressing issues with the functional performance of the artificial eyes is how to retain the OP linked with the OI. Magnetic implants (MI), in comparison with other orbital devices, provide a “new” approach in this respect. The OP is maintained in place, and graft movement is communicated to it by the action of two magnets, one on the lateral side of the prosthesis and the other within the frontal area of the graft or implant, and the conjunctiva is squeezed in between the two parts. Following World War II, this technique was implemented, resulting in creating a variety of PMMA-based primary models influenced by the Allen-type sketch (Troutman, 1954; Young, 1954;
FIGURE 8

Example PMMA ocular prosthesis: (A) hand coloring of the iris button to match the aesthetic look of the healthy eye (B), (C) frontal appearance of the finished prosthesis (with painted capillary vessels, iris, and pupil) following cleaning for optimum fit to the architecture of the client, and (D) backside convex surface.
FIGURE 9

Utilization of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for the fabrication of orbital implants: (A) a pear-shaped implant (Sahaf implant type I); (B) a comparison between the Iowa implant (upward) and the universal implant (downward), demonstrating that the latter has softer mounds in comparison with the Iowa predecessor; (C) a magnetic orbital implant; and (D) an associated ocular prosthesis that exhibits magnet rusting in both components. Reproduced with permission from (
Discussion and Comparative Evaluation
What, Where, and Why are the Chosen Materials and Implants?
Because each kind of implant has benefits and drawbacks, it is difficult to declare that one class of OIs is better to the others based on the available research; nevertheless, some suggestions can be provided. Many factors impact the selection of the “best” orbital implant, including the unique features of the damage, the clinical history and age of the patients and the experience and judgement of the surgeon. Furthermore, complicated oculoorbital surgery is often required in specific situations—e.g., when a midfacial shock has happened—and often involves both enucleations of the sick eye and repair of the broken orbital floor/wall (
countries worldwide. They analyzed these data to learn more about the materials utilized (Figure 6A) and discovered that the conventional PE sphere (19.2%) is the most frequent implant, pursued by PMMA ball (13.7%) and synthetic Hap (16.4%). Most surgeons favor porous implants directly above nonporous spheres, according to a study of aggregated data presented in Figure 6B (54.7% vs. 37.7%). It is worth noting that the % of porosity implants described in the research of Mourits et al. (
Are Porous Pmplants Better Than the Other Types?
Several surgeons recommend porous implants as a viable alternative for reducing the risks of exposure and extrusion. Furthermore, compared with Allen-type devices, PIs (and in common spherical maneuvers) need easier operational procedures and abilities. Exposures in porous devices, according to some authors, are more agreeable to conventional treatment without the need for a 2nd operational procedure, whereas disclosures in nonporous grafts or implants (i.e., universal Implant or acrylic sphere), if not very restricted, nearly always necessitate implant exclusion (
Use in Pediatric Inhabitants
The use of PIs in children is also up for discussion. Because of the upcoming volume extension to keep common bone/orbit progress and the eventual necessity for implant interchange with a bigger one, ease of exclusion would be addressed when treating youngsters. Due to the lack of fibrovascularization, nonporous grafts with a flat appearance, like, silicone and PMMA spheres, are simple to eliminate and are frequently favored by surgeons. On the other hand, few writers have documented a successful usage of porous instruments in youngsters (
Pegging
Pegging is a technique for improving mobility and life-like look in PIs. Pegging can be done in PIs to increase motility and life-like form. OIs are typically enclosed anteriorly by the conjunctiva (“buried implants”) to segregate them from the peripheral environment. Jordan et al. (
Implant Salvage Exposure, Wrapping, and Procedures
The chemical composition and microstructural/physical characteristics of accessible implants vary considerably, and these differences may be to blame for the emergence of problems. The high “biocompatible” an implant is, the less inflammatory (quiescent) the eventual host reaction will be (Williams, 2008). Surface roughness, both macro and micro, is important in the progression of conjunctival weakening and consequent exposure/extrusion. Fine-grained (i.e., alumia) or smooth (i.e., PE, silicone, and PMMA) surfaces are preferable above coarse-grained materials (e.g., HAp), as rough surfaces should be abrasive to the nearby soft tissue when the implant travels (Xu et al., 1997). Direct interaction between the implant surface and the conjunctiva would be evaded, particularly when using PIs that are rough and stiff, like CIs. The implant might be put inside the sclera of the patient without extra draping if evisceration is performed; however, the implant should be coated (
TABLE 1
| Type of material/implant | Advantages | Limitations/drawbacks |
|---|---|---|
| Allen-type implants (e.g., universal implant) | -promising motility | -require ad hoc fabricated ocular prosthesis fitting precisely the implant anterior |
| -exposure result in requiring implant elimination | ||
| -elaborate surgical installation | ||
| Coralline HA (porous) | -permit fibrovascularization | -pediatric patients are not eligible |
| -promising motility (permit pegging) | -conjunctival abrasion risk | |
| -expensive | ||
| Porous alumina | -permit fibrovascularization | -expensive |
| -pediatric patients are not eligible for it | ||
| -promising motility (permit pegging) | ||
| -smooth surface than other porous materials | ||
| Solid (nonporous) polymeric sphere (such as PMMA and silicon) | -simple technique | -fibrovascular ingrowth is not permitted |
| -directly implantable | -exposure is less amenable of conservative than other porous materials | |
| -both pediatric and older patients are eligible | ||
| AlphaSphere | -simple install orbit | -implant fragmentation after some time |
| -direct implant suturing | ||
| -smooth surface | ||
| -permit fibrovascularization | ||
| Guthoff implant | -permit fibrovascularization is allowed | -elaborate surgical procedure |
| -promising motility | -expensive |
Various implants and materials with their advantages and drawbacks.
Surface Coating: A Significant Technique for Later-Generation Orbital Implants
The use of various surface coatings that can stimulate fibrovascularization or have an antibacterial impact is an intriguing technique that is being investigated to improve the achievement of OIs in comparison with the present state of the art. You et al. described the first effort to enhance vascularization by coating alumina implants (You et al., 2003). They placed a thin layer of man-made HAp on the grafts or implants. The goal of this technique was to make use of the load-bearing properties of alumina, however also utilizing the biocompatibility and long-lasting stability of HAp. The writer measured fibrovascularization in eviscerated rabbits following 2, 4, and 12 weeks after implantation and observed fibrovascularization at the implant periphery after 2 weeks and in the center after 4 weeks.
Neovascularization then mention implants based on macroscopic assessment and semiquantitative vascular density measurement. In addition, the same investigation team tested these scaffolds in vitro with mesenchymal stem cells and in vivo with a basic animal model (hypodermic pocket in rats) and set up a considerably greater density of freshly designed vessels and appearance of endothelial distinction indicators than the control group (
Methodological Remarks—Future Research on Orbital Implants
This segment compiles various methodological remarks to provoke debate amongst academics and offer valuable recommendations for improving more operative OIs.
Remarks on Implant Fabrication and Material Selection
The type of substance utilized as an OIs and its fate must be carefully examined. Because orbital implants must function as persistent instruments for filling the socket volume and maintaining the orbital tissues above the course of the lifetime of the patient, in vivo resorption should be prevented.
As a result, materials like soluble Ca3(PO4)2 (i.e., - and - TCP), bioresorbable polymers [i.e., poly (glycolic acid) (
Dermal replacements are advantageous in situations when the standard surgical method is insufficient for any reason. Because they are infrequently employed in the periocular area, there is a dearth of literature on the subject. Nonetheless, based on available case reports and limited series, we may infer that the use of dermal replacements in the periocular area is often effective and free of problems (
Observations on the Characterization and Testing of Materials
Once novel OIs have been created, it is critical to ensure suitability for the desired function. There is currently no well-defined, widely accepted, and rigorous methodology for evaluating novel orbital implants. As previously mentioned (
Is There a Way to Make Implant Development More “Global”?
As mentioned in Remarks on Implant Fabrication and Material Selection and Observations on the Characterization and Testing of Materials, a range of parameters linked to the materials utilized and graft style impact OIs performance containing crystalline phase presence, size/shape, surface roughness, and mechanical qualities if the graft is porous, pore features. It is not easy to consider the influence and significance of all of these variables. As a result, outlining a quantifiable and objective limitation “selection score” might aid surgeons in selecting and biomaterials researchers in developing more successful and quite customized OIs. Moreover, practical usage of such a “global” parameter might made OI selection less random and less reliant on the abilities and personal experience of the ophthalmic surgeon. To date, in tissue engineering, a quantitative criterion has been suggested to evaluate the achievement of scientific scaffolds to that of the bone tissue they are supposed to exchange. The operational and automated assets of two marketable synthetic implants to the trabecular bone were compared by
Current Patents on Ocular Implants, Ranging From Research to Therapeutic Use
Many years ago, the most frequently utilized OIs (such as porous HAp, Allen-type, alumina, and PE) were developed and there have been very few new patents submitted in the recent decade (
Moreover, there is a dearth of established treatment protocols for managing discharge. Frequent prosthesis removal and cleaning were related to more severe discharge, but the cause-and-effect relationship was not established. Professional repolishing regimens had a negligible effect on the discharge experience. Additional study on the response of the socket to prosthetic eye use is suggested, focusing on the physical, chemical, and biological components of the conjunctiva, socket fluids, and the deposits that coat the prosthetic eye (
Conclusion and Summary
The functional evolution of anophthalmic socket surgery biomaterials and implants can be directly linked to their historical history. As a result, the history of orbital implants may be split into four primary eras, each with its unique set of characteristics: 1) the period of nonporous spherical grafts, where the key goal was to exchange the socket volume with a harmless material; 2) the age of Allen-type grafts, where the chief goal was to ensure good motility to the Ops; 3) the time of PIs, where the leading goal was to advance fibrovascularization; and 4) the era of porous implants, where the main goal was to ensure the current age of smart, multifunctional implants, in which the goal is to provide crucial additional benefits to the implant, like, in situ mold capability or antibacterial and angiogenetic characteristics. Biomaterials are openly requested to show a significant part in this fourth, upcoming age, although graft style was typically prioritized over material characteristics and functions in the past. Scientists are reporting surprising, smart characteristics of existing biomaterials in the literature, indicating that not only are new biomaterials being produced but also that scientists are reporting unexpected, smart qualities of existing biomaterials. For example, several bioceramic compositions have recently demonstrated the capacity to bind to soft tissue and promote angiogenesis, making these materials possibly appropriate for various soft tissue applications, containing eye operation that was previously unimaginable (
Furthermore, there is a lot of room for surface modification on the orbital implant through the use of coatings that should stimulate a definite biological or beneficial retort at the graft–host tissue contact. Keeping in mind that one of the main goals is to enhance fibrovascularization, using bioactive composites or coatings that can release angiogenic mediators is a potential technique that should be investigated more in the upcoming ahead. Bioactive glasses are particularly appealing biomaterials in this context (
Statements
Author contributions
All authors contributed to the work fulfilling the criteria adopted from ICMJE. XF, XY, and XC acquired the data. XF and XC analyzed and interpreted the data. XF, XY, and XC drafted the manuscript. XF, XY, and XC critically revised the paper. XF, XY, and XC conceptualized and designed the study. XF, XY, and XC acquired financial support. All authors read and approved the submitted version of the manuscript. Each author has agreed to both be personally accountable for the contributions of the author and to ensure that questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work, even those in which the author was not personally involved, are appropriately investigated and resolved and that the resolution is documented in the literature.
Funding
This work was supported by the Public Welfare Technology Application Research Project of Zhejiang Province (No. LGF18H120004 to XLF).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
Publisher’s note
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors, and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article, or claim that may be made by its manufacturer, is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
References
1
AdamsA.MankadK.PoiteleaC.VerityD. H.DavagnanamI. (2014). Post-operative Orbital Imaging: a Focus on Implants and Prosthetic Devices. Neuroradiology56 (11), 925–935. 10.1007/s00234-014-1403-6
2
AmatoM. M.BlaydonS. M.ScribbickF. W.JrBeldenC. J.ShoreJ. W.NeuhausR. W.et al (2003). Use of Bioglass for Orbital Volume Augmentation in Enophthalmos. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.19 (6), 455–465. 10.1097/01.iop.0000092795.83665.fd
3
AtkinsA. D.Roper-HallM. J. (1983). Magnetic Orbital Implants. Br. J. Ophthalmol.67 (5), 315–316. 10.1136/bjo.67.5.315
4
Bagchi-SenS. (2007). Strategic Considerations for Innovation and Commercialization in the US Biotechnology Sector. Eur. Plann. Stud.15 (6), 753–766. 10.1080/09654310701214226
5
BainoF. (2011). Biomaterials and Implants for Orbital Floor Repair. Acta Biomater.7 (9), 3248–3266. 10.1016/j.actbio.2011.05.016
6
BainoF.PereroS.FerrarisS.MiolaM.BalagnaC.VernéE.et al (2014). Biomaterials for Orbital Implants and Ocular Prostheses: Overview and Future Prospects. Acta Biomater.10 (3), 1064–1087. 10.1016/j.actbio.2013.12.014
7
BainoF.PotestioI. (2016). Orbital Implants: State-Of-The-Art Review with Emphasis on Biomaterials and Recent Advances. Mater. Sci. Eng. C69, 1410–1428. 10.1016/j.msec.2016.08.003
8
BainoF. (2010). Scleral Buckling Biomaterials and Implants for Retinal Detachment Surgery. Med. Eng. Phys.32 (9), 945–956. 10.1016/j.medengphy.2010.07.007
9
BainoF. (2011). Towards an Ideal Biomaterial for Vitreous Replacement: Historical Overview and Future Trends. Acta Biomater.7 (3), 921–935. 10.1016/j.actbio.2010.10.030
10
BozukovaD.PagnoulleC.JérômeR.JérômeC. (2010). Polymers in Modern Ophthalmic Implants-Historical Background and Recent Advances. Mater. Sci. Eng. R: Rep.69 (6), 63–83. 10.1016/j.mser.2010.05.002
11
ChalasaniR.Poole-WarrenL.ConwayR. M.Ben-NissanB. (2007). Porous Orbital Implants in Enucleation: A Systematic Review. Surv. Ophthalmol.52 (2), 145–155. 10.1016/j.survophthal.2006.12.007
12
ChoiY. J.ParkC.JinH. C.ChoungH.-K.LeeM. J.KimN.et al (2013). Outcome of Smooth Surface Tunnel Porous Polyethylene Orbital Implants (Medpor SST) in Children with Retinoblastoma. Br. J. Ophthalmol.97 (12), 1530–1533. 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2013-303481
13
ChristenburyJ. D. (1991). Use of Proplast II. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.7 (3), 223.
14
ChristmasN. J.GordonC. D.MurrayT. G.TseD.JohnsonT.GaronzikS.et al (1998). Intraorbital Implants after Enucleation and Their Complications. Arch. Ophthalmol.116 (9), 1199–1203. 10.1001/archopht.116.9.1199
15
CleresB.Meyer-RüsenbergH. W. (2014). Poröse Orbitaimplantate. Ophthalmologe111 (6), 572–576. 10.1007/s00347-013-2950-7
16
ColquhounR.TannerK. E. (2015). Mechanical Behaviour of Degradable Phosphate Glass Fibres and Composites-A Review. Biomed. Mater.11, 014105. 10.1088/1748-6041/11/1/014105
17
CullerA. M. (1952). Orbital Implants after Enucleation; Basic Principles of Anatomy and Physiology of the Orbit and Relation to Implant Surgery. Trans. Am. Acad. Ophthalmol. Otolaryngol.56, 17–20.
18
CusterP. L.TrinkausK. M.FornoffJ. (1999). Comparative Motility of Hydroxyapatite and Alloplastic Enucleation Implants. Ophthalmology106 (3), 513–516. 10.1016/s0161-6420(99)90109-4
19
DresnerS. C.CodèreF.CorriveauC. (1991). Orbital Volume Augmentation with Adjustable Prefabricated Methylmethacrylate Subperiosteal Implants. Ophthalmic Surg. Lasers Imaging22 (1), 53–56. 10.3928/1542-8877-19910101-15
20
DuboisL.SteenenS. A.GoorisP. J. J.MouritsM. P.BeckingA. G. (2015). Controversies in Orbital Reconstruction-I. Defect-Driven Orbital Reconstruction: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Oral Maxillofacial Surg.44 (3), 308–315. 10.1016/j.ijom.2014.12.002
21
DuboisL.SteenenS. A.GoorisP. J. J.MouritsM. P.BeckingA. G. (2015). Controversies in Orbital Reconstruction-II. Timing of post-traumatic Orbital Reconstruction: A Systematic Review. Int. J. Oral Maxillofacial Surg.44 (4), 433–440. 10.1016/j.ijom.2014.12.003
22
EllisO. H.LevyO. R. (1956). A New Magnetic Orbital Implant. Arch. Ophthalmol.56 (3), 352–360. 10.1001/archopht.1956.00930040360004
23
Falvo D'Urso LabateG.BainoF.TerziniM.AudeninoA.Vitale-BrovaroneC.SegersP.et al (2016). Catapano G: Bone Structural Similarity Score: a Multiparametric Tool to Match Properties of Biomimetic Bone Substitutes with Their Target Tissues. J. Appl. Biomater. Funct. Mater.14 (3), e277–e289. 10.5301/jabfm.5000283
24
Fernandez-MoureJ. S. (2016). Lost in Translation: The Gap in Scientific Advancements and Clinical Application. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol.4, 43. 10.3389/fbioe.2016.00043
25
GawdatT. I.AhmedR. A. (2014). Scleral Shield: Primary Results of a New Surgical Technique in Augmenting Porous Orbital Implant protection. Eur. J. Ophthalmol.24 (6), 948–952. 10.5301/ejo.5000469
26
GeirsdottirA.AgnarssonB. A.HelgadottirG.SigurdssonH. (2014). Enucleation in Iceland 1992-2004: Study in a Defined Population. Acta Ophthalmologica92 (2), 121–125. 10.1111/aos.12004
27
GentileP.ChionoV.CarmagnolaI.HattonP. (2014). An Overview of Poly(lactic-Co-Glycolic) Acid (PLGA)-Based Biomaterials for Bone Tissue Engineering. Ijms15 (3), 3640–3659. 10.3390/ijms15033640
28
GirardL. J.EguezI.SoperJ. W.SoperM.EsnaolaN.HomsyC. A. (1990). Buried Quasi-Integrated Enucleation Implant of Proplast II. A Preliminary Report. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.6, 141–143. 10.1097/00002341-199006000-00014
29
GirardL. J.EsnaolaN.SagahonE. (1990). Evisceration Implant of Proplast II. A Preliminary Report. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.6, 139–140. 10.1097/00002341-199006000-00013
30
GuthoffR.VickH. P.SchaudigU. (1995). Prevention of Postenucleation Syndrome: the Hydroxylapatite Silicone Implant. Preliminary Experimental Studies and Initial Clinical Experiences. Ophthalmologe92 (2), 198–205.
31
HabalM. B. (1987). Aesthetic Considerations in the Reconstruction of the Anophthalmic Orbit. Aesth. Plast. Surg.11 (1), 229–239. 10.1007/bf01575515
32
HauckM. J.SteeleE. A. (2015). Dermis Fat Graft Implantation after Unilateral Enucleation for Retinoblastoma in Pediatric Patients. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.31 (2), 136–138. 10.1097/iop.0000000000000228
33
HeherK. L.KatowitzJ. A.LowJ. E. (1998). Unilateral Dermis-Fat Graft Implantation in the Pediatric Orbit. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.14, 81–88. 10.1097/00002341-199803000-00002
34
HeimannH.BechrakisN. E.ZepedaL. C.CouplandS. E.HellmichM.FoersterM. H. (2005). Exposure of Orbital Implants Wrapped with Polyester-Urethane after Enucleation for Advanced Retinoblastoma. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.21 (2), 123–128. 10.1097/01.iop.0000152495.25263.61
35
HelmsH. A.ZeigerH. E.JrCallahanA. (1987). Complications Following Enucleation and Implantation of Multiple Glass Spheres in the Orbit. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.3 (2), 87–90. 10.1097/00002341-198703020-00006
36
HughesM. O. (2007). A Pictorial Anatomy of the Human Eye/anophthalmic Socket: a Review for Ocularists. eye4 (5), 6.
37
HynesS. L.ForrestC. R.BorschelG. H. (2016). Use of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Reconstruction of the Pediatric Anophthalmic Orbit. J. Plast. Reconstr. Aesthet. Surg.69 (1), 84–90. 10.1016/j.bjps.2015.09.011
38
JinK.YeX.LiS.LiB.ZhangC.GaoC.et al (2016). A Biomimetic Collagen/heparin Multi-Layered Porous Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant for In Vivo Vascularization Studies on the Chicken Chorioallantoic Membrane. Graefes Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol.254 (1), 83–89. 10.1007/s00417-015-3144-6
39
JordanD. R.BrownsteinS.GilbergS.CoupalD.KimS.MawnL. (2002). Hydroxyapatite and Calcium Phophate Coatings on Aluminium Oxide Orbital Implants. Can. J. Ophthalmol.37 (1), 7–13. 10.1016/s0008-4182(02)80092-8
40
JordanD. R.HwangI.BrownsteinS.McEachrenT.GilbergS.GrahovacS.et al (2000). The Molteno M-Sphere. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.16 (5), 356–362. 10.1097/00002341-200009000-00009
41
JordanD. R.KlapperS. R. (2010). “Controversies in Enucleation Technique and Implant Selection: Whether to Wrap, Attach Muscles, and Peg,” in Oculoplastics and Orbit: Aesthetic and Functional Oculofacial Plastic Problem-Solving in the 21st Century. Editors GuthoffR. F.KatowitzJ. A. (Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer), 195–209. 10.1007/978-3-540-85542-2_14
42
JordanD. R.MawnL. A.BrownsteinS.McEachrenT. M.GilbergS. M.HillV.et al (2000). The Bioceramic Orbital Implant: a New Generation of Porous Implants. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.16 (5), 347–355. 10.1097/00002341-200009000-00008
43
JordanD. R.StoicaB.KlapperS. R. (2016). Current Indications for Pegging in the Anophthalmic Socket. Curr. Opin. Ophthalmol.27 (5), 465–473. 10.1097/icu.0000000000000297
44
KamalZ.UllahM. R.LalG.HyeA.SahafI. A. (2010). Reconstruction of Empty SocG.L. Zahid Kamal, Abdul Hye, Out Come of Sahaf Enucleation Implants in 60 Patients, pjo (2008). Kets With Sahaf’s Orbital Implant.
45
KareshJ. W.DresnerS. C. (1994). High-density Porous Polyethylene (Medpor) as a Successful Anophthalmic Socket Implant. Ophthalmology101 (10), 1688–1696. 10.1016/s0161-6420(94)31114-6
46
KlapperS. R.JordanD. R.EllsA.GrahovacS. (2003). Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant Vascularization Assessed by Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Ophthalmic Plast Reconstr Surg19 (1), 46–52.
47
KlettA.GuthoffR. (2003). Deckung von Orbitaimplantaten mit muskelgestielter autologer Sklera. Ophthalmologe100 (6), 449–452. 10.1007/s00347-003-0836-9
48
KlettA.GuthoffR. (2003). Wie lässt sich die Prothesenmotilität verbessern?Ophthalmologe100 (6), 445–448. 10.1007/s00347-003-0837-8
49
KopeckýA.NěmčanskýJ.KratkyV.RokohlA. C.HeindlL. M. (2021). Bioengineered Dermal Substitutes for Periocular Defects. Ann. Eye Sci.6, 16. 10.21037/aes-20-97
50
LeatherbarrowB.KwartzJ.SunderlandS.BrammarR.NicholE. (1994). The 'baseball' Orbital Implant: A Prospective Study. Eye8 (5), 569–576. 10.1038/eye.1994.139
51
LeeV.Subak-SharpeI.HungerfordJ. L.DaviesN. P.LoganiS. (2000). Exposure of Primary Orbital Implants in Postenucleation Retinoblastoma patients11The Authors Have No Financial or Proprietary Interest in Any of the Materials Used in This Study. Ophthalmology107 (5), 940–945. 10.1016/s0161-6420(00)00016-6
52
MaX.SchouK. R.Maloney-SchouM.HarwinF. M.NgJ. D. (2011). The Porous Polyethylene/bioglass Spherical Orbital Implant: a Retrospective Study of 170 Cases. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.27 (1), 21–27. 10.1097/iop.0b013e3181de01a7
53
MarxD. P.VagefiM. R.BeardenW. H.AndersonR. L.YenM. T. (2008). The Quasi-Integrated Porous Polyethylene Implant in Pediatric Patients Enucleated for Retinoblastoma. Orbit27 (6), 403–406. 10.1080/01676830802345042
54
McElneaE. M.RyanA.FulcherT. (2014). Porous Orbital Implant Exposure: The Influence of Surgical Technique. Orbit33 (2), 104–108. 10.3109/01676830.2013.851706
55
McGregorR. R. (1954). Silicones and Their Uses. McGraw-Hill.
56
MedelR.AlonsoT.PelaezF.VasquezL. (2016). Periumbilical Fat Auto-Graft Associated to a Porous Orbital Implant for Socket Reconstruction after Enucleation. Orbit35 (4), 181–186. 10.1080/01676830.2016.1176206
57
Miguez-PachecoV.HenchL. L.BoccacciniA. R. (2015). Bioactive Glasses beyond Bone and Teeth: Emerging Applications in Contact with Soft Tissues. Acta Biomater.13, 1–15. 10.1016/j.actbio.2014.11.004
58
MoltenoA. C. B.ChBM. J. E. M. (1991). Bone Implants after Enucleation. Aust. New Zealand J. Ophthalmol.19 (2), 129–136. 10.1111/j.1442-9071.1991.tb00640.x
59
MoshfeghiD. M.MoshfeghiA. A.FingerP. T. (2000). Enucleation. Surv. Ophthalmol.44 (4), 277–301. 10.1016/s0039-6257(99)00112-5
60
MouritsD. L.HartongD. T.BosschaM. I.KloosR. J.MollA. C. (2015). Worldwide Enucleation Techniques and Materials for Treatment of Retinoblastoma: An International Survey. PLoS One10, e0121292. 10.1371/journal.pone.0121292
61
MouritsD. L.MollA. C.BosschaM. I.TanH. S.HartongD. T. (2016). Orbital Implants in Retinoblastoma Patients: 23 Years of Experience and a Review of the Literature. Acta Ophthalmol.94 (2), 165–174. 10.1111/aos.12915
62
MulesP. (1885). Evisceration of the Giobe with Artificial Vitreous. Ophthalmol. Soc. UK5, 200–208.
63
MurrayT. G.CicciarelliN. L.CroftB. H.GaronzikS.VoigtM.HernandezE. (2000). Design of a Magnetically Integrated Microporous Implant. Arch. Ophthalmol.118 (9), 1259–1262. 10.1001/archopht.118.9.1259
64
MyskaV.Roper-HallM. J. (1970). The Long-Term Effects of Ocular Implants [Abridged]. Proc. R. Soc. Med.63 (3), 315–317. 10.1177/003591577006300348
65
NaikM. N.MurthyR. K.HonavarS. G. (2007). Comparison of Vascularization of Medpor and Medpor-Plus Orbital Implants: a Prospective, Randomized Study. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.23 (6), 463–467. 10.1097/iop.0b013e318158ec8e
66
NentwichM. M.Schebitz-WalterK.HirneissC.HintschichC. (2014). Dermis Fat Grafts as Primary and Secondary Orbital Implants. Orbit33 (1), 33–38. 10.3109/01676830.2013.844172
67
NeuhausR. W.GreiderB.BaylisH. I. (1984). Enucleation with Implantation of a Proplast Sphere. Ophthalmology91 (5), 494–496. 10.1016/s0161-6420(84)34262-2
68
NordaA. G.Meyer-RüsenbergH.-W. (2003). Erfahrungen mit Orbitaimplantaten, insbesondere mit porösen Hydroxylapatitmaterialien. Ophthalmologe100 (6), 437–444. 10.1007/s00347-003-0832-0
69
NuneryW. R.CepelaM. A.HeinzG. W.ZaleD.MartinR. T. (1993). Extrusion Rate of Silicone Spherical Anophthalmic Socket Implants. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.9, 90–95. 10.1097/00002341-199306000-00003
70
NuneryW. R.HeinzG. W.BonninJ. M.MartinR. T.CepelaM. A. (1993). Exposure Rate of Hydroxyapatite Spheres in the Anophthalmic Socket: Histopathologic Correlation and Comparison with Silicone Sphere Implants. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.9, 96–104. 10.1097/00002341-199306000-00004
71
PiestK. L.WelshM. G. (2002). Pediatric Enucleation, Evisceration, and Exenteration Techniques. Pediatr. Oculoplastic Surg.617–627. 10.1007/978-0-387-21630-0_32
72
PineK.SloanB.StewartJ.JacobsR. J. (2012). A Survey of Prosthetic Eye Wearers to Investigate Mucoid Discharge. Clin. Ophthalmol.6, 707–713. 10.2147/OPTH.S31126
73
PineK.SloanB.StewartJ.JacobsR. J. (2011). Concerns of Anophthalmic Patients Wearing Artificial Eyes. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol.39 (1), 47–52. 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2010.02381.x
74
RaizadaK.ShomeD.HonavarS. (2008). Management of an Irradiated Anophthalmic Socket Following Dermis-Fat Graft Rejection: a Case Report. Indian J. Ophthalmol.56 (2), 147. 10.4103/0301-4738.39121
75
Roper-HallM. J. (1956). Magnetic Orbital Implant. Br. J. Ophthalmol.40 (9), 575. 10.1136/bjo.40.9.575
76
RosnerM.EdwardD. P.TsoM. O. M. (1992). Foreign-Body Giant-Cell Reaction to the Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant. Arch. Ophthalmol.110 (2), 173–174. 10.1001/archopht.1992.01080140023013
77
SamiD.YoungS.PetersenR. (2007). Perspective on Orbital Enucleation Implants. Surv. Ophthalmol.52 (3), 244–265. 10.1016/j.survophthal.2007.02.007
78
SaxbyE.DaviesR.KerrJ. (2019). Living with an Artificial Eye-The Emotional and Psychosocial Impact. Eye33 (8), 1349–1351. 10.1038/s41433-019-0398-y
79
SchmidtH. (1906). VII. Zur Lösung des Problems der Kugeleinheilung. Ophthalmologica16 (Suppl. 1), 63–80. 10.1159/000291166
80
SchmidtH. (1910). II. Zur Lösung des Problems der Kugeleinheilung. Nachtrag 1909. Ophthalmologica23 (4), 321–339. 10.1159/000291794
81
SethiT.HarianawalaH.HaylockC.KheurM. (2014). Fabrication of a Custom Ocular Prosthesis. Middle East. Afr. J. Ophthalmol.21 (3), 271–274. 10.4103/0974-9233.134694
82
ShahS. U.ShieldsC. L.LallyS. E.ShieldsJ. A. (2015). Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implant in Children Following Enucleation. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.31 (2), 108–114. 10.1097/iop.0000000000000207
83
ShamsP. N.BohmanE.BakerM. S.MaltryA. C.KoppE. D.AllenR. C. (2015). Chronic Anophthalmic Socket Pain Treated by Implant Removal and Dermis Fat Graft. Br. J. Ophthalmol.99 (12), 1692–1696. 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2014-306585
84
SiddiqiZ. K.LalG.HyeA. (2008). Out Come of Sahaf Enucleation Implants in 60 Patients. Pakistan J. Ophthalmol., 24.
85
SollD. B. (1986). Evolution and Current Concepts in the Surgical Treatment of the Anophthalmic Orbit. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.2 (3), 163–172. 10.1097/00002341-198601060-00009
86
SpiveyB. E.AllenL.BurnsC. A. (1969). The Iowa Enucleation Implant. Am. J. Ophthalmol.67 (2), 171–188. 10.1016/0002-9394(69)93147-x
87
SuterA. J.MoltenoA. C. B.BevinT. H.FultonJ. D.HerbisonP. (2002). Long Term Follow up of Bone Derived Hydroxyapatite Orbital Implants. Br. J. Ophthalmol.86 (11), 1287–1292. 10.1136/bjo.86.11.1287
88
TimoneyP. J.ClarkJ. D.FrederickP. A.KrakauerM.ComptonC.HorbinskiC.et al (2016). Foreign Body Granuloma Following Orbital Reconstruction with Porous Polyethylene. Ophthalmic Plast. Reconstr. Surg.32 (6), e137–e138. 10.1097/iop.0000000000000328
89
TroutmanR. C. (1954). FIVE-YEAR SURVEY ON USE OF A MAGNETIC IMPLANT FOR IMPROVING COSMETIC RESULT OF ENUCLEATION. Arch. Ophthalmol.52 (1), 58–62. 10.1001/archopht.1954.00920050060006
90
TulloA. B.BuckleyR. J.KellyT.HeadM. W.BennettP.ArmitageW. J.et al (2006). Transplantation of Ocular Tissue from a Donor with Sporadic Creutzfeldt?Jakob Disease. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol.34 (7), 645–649. 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2006.01308.x
91
TyersA. G.CollinJ. R. (1985). Baseball Orbital Implants: a Review of 39 Patients. Br. J. Ophthalmol.69 (6), 438–442. 10.1136/bjo.69.6.438
92
ViswanathanP.SagooM. S.OlverJ. M. (2007). UK National Survey of Enucleation, Evisceration and Orbital Implant Trends. Br. J. Ophthalmol.91 (5), 616–619. 10.1136/bjo.2006.103937
93
WangP. X.KohV. T. C.LunK.SundarG. (2014). Survey on the Management of Orbital and Intraocular Tumors Among Oculofacial Surgeons in the Asia-Pacific Region. Int. Ophthalmol.34 (3), 723–733. 10.1007/s10792-013-9859-7
94
WeiY. H.LiaoS. L. (2014). The Reconstruction of a Contracted Eye Socket Using a post-auricular Full-Thickness Skin Graft. Graefes Arch. Clin. Exp. Ophthalmol.252 (5), 821–827. 10.1007/s00417-014-2600-z
95
WhearN. M.CousleyR. R. J.LiewC.HendersonD. (1993). Post-operative Infection of Proplast Facial Implants. Br. J. Oral Maxillofacial Surg.31 (5), 292–295. 10.1016/0266-4356(93)90062-2
96
WilliamsD. F. (2008). On the Mechanisms of Biocompatibility. Biomaterials29 (20), 2941–2953. 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2008.04.023
97
WilsonJ.PigottG. H.SchoenF. J.HenchL. L. (1981). Toxicology and Biocompatibility of Bioglasses. J. Biomed. Mater. Res.15 (6), 805–817. 10.1002/jbm.820150605
98
XuX.HuangZ.WangC. (1997). Clinical Study of Bioactive Glass Ceramics as Orbital Implants. Hunan Yi Ke Da Xue Xue Bao22 (5), 440–442.
99
YeJ.HeJ.WangC.YaoK.GouZ. (2014). Copper-containing Mesoporous Bioactive Glass Coatings on Orbital Implants for Improving Drug Delivery Capacity and Antibacterial Activity. Biotechnol. Lett.36 (5), 961–968. 10.1007/s10529-014-1465-x
100
YouC. K.OhS. H.KimJ. W.ChoiT. H.LeeS. Y.KimS. Y. (2003). “Hydroxyapatite Coated Porous Alumina as a New Orbital Implant,” in Key Engineering Materials (Handbook of Bioceramics and Biocomposites: Springer, Cham), 563–566. Trans Tech Publ.
101
YoungJ. H. (1954). Magnetic Intra-ocular Implant : New Surgery of the Implant the Magnetic Artificial Eye. Br. J. Ophthalmol.38 (12), 705–718. 10.1136/bjo.38.12.705
102
YuhW. T. C.HaniganM. T.NeradJ. A.EhrhardtJ. C.CarterK. D.KardonR. H.et al (1991). Extrusion of Eye Socket Magnetic Implant after MR Imaging: Potential hazard to Patient with Eye Prosthesis. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging1 (6), 711–713. 10.1002/jmri.1880010617
Summary
Keywords
orbital implants, biomaterial, ophthalmology, material design, clinical translation
Citation
Chen X-Y, Yang X and Fan X-L (2022) The Evolution of Orbital Implants and Current Breakthroughs in Material Design, Selection, Characterization, and Clinical Use. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 9:800998. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2021.800998
Received
24 October 2021
Accepted
31 December 2021
Published
17 February 2022
Volume
9 - 2021
Edited by
Francesca Taraballi, Houston Methodist Research Institute, United States
Reviewed by
Francesco Baino, Politecnico di Torino, Italy
Alexander C. Rokohl, University of Cologne, Germany
Updates

Check for updates
Copyright
© 2022 Chen, Yang and Fan.
This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Xiao-Yi Chen, chenxiaoyi@hmc.edu.cn; Xing-Li Fan, fxl@hmc.edu.cn
† These authors have contributed equally to this work
This article was submitted to Biomaterials, a section of the journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
Disclaimer
All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.