Abstract
Advanced in vitro models are becoming increasingly popular over traditional monolayer cell culture models as they more closely recapitulate key morphological and biochemical aspects of tissue similar to what is found in vivo. Although it is primarily used in disease modelling and drug discovery, the use of these models is expanding into clinical applications as well, including in the field of advanced ocular in vitro models. The eye is a complex organ with multiple cell types and layers, all playing a unique role in visual acuity. Although no singular model is yet capable of recreating the entire complexity of the eye, there are multiple models available that can accurately mimic the tissue of interest. This review will first give a brief overview of the anatomy and function of the eye before focussing on the potential applications of advance in vitro models, with a focus on scaffold-free, scaffold-based, and microphysiological systems. We highlight the role of these models in both pre-clinical and clinical applications, showcasing the importance of these in vitro models.