Significant Biomedical Applications of Hydrogels: An Overview

Hydrogels have gained significant attention due to their remarkable properties, including high water content, softness, flexibility, and excellent biocompatibility. These materials are formed by physically or chemically cross-linking natural or synthetic hydrophilic polymers, resulting in a three-dimensional network capable of retaining large amounts of water. Their close resemblance to living tissue makes them highly suitable for a wide range of biomedical applications. Today, hydrogels are widely used in the production of contact lenses, tissue engineering scaffolds, drug delivery systems, wound dressings and hygiene products. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of their key characteristics and diverse biomedical uses. From Otto Wichterle’s groundbreaking work to the latest hydrogel-based innovations in commercial products, it provides readers with a thorough introduction to the field and a forwardlooking perspective on future developments.