Ocular nanomedicines for precise targeted delivery and controlled release in clinical application have expanded. However, developing materials that harmonize with biomechanical properties of various anatomical regions in the eye remains neglected. For instance, biomaterials engineered to mimic the cornea’s biomechanical and optical properties can achieve superior integration with ocular surface structures, thereby reducing corneal trauma and extending nanomaterial persistence. Beyond the corneal surface, biomechanically optimized strategies that consider the viscoelasticity and structural integrity of the retina and choroid can significantly improve intraocular drug delivery. Nanomaterials with dynamic biomechanical responsiveness, such as intraocular pressure (IOP)-sensitive behavior, enable controlled drug release and enhance therapeutic efficacy in glaucoma management. Notably, nanomaterials with mechanical stiffness compatible with ocular biomechanics can preserve tissue integrity, stabilize the globe structure, and mitigate trauma-related complications. This review synthesizes current understanding of the biomechanical properties of ocular tissues and provides structural perspectives to inform the development of next-generation nanomaterials for ophthalmic use. We envision that these insights will foster translational innovation and advance biomechanically informed strategies in ocular nanomedicine.

The term biomaterial is widely used to describe materials associated with biological systems, but often fails to distinguish whether a material merely exists within a biological environment or actively participates in regulating biological processes. This ambiguity has created a subtle conceptual gap, making it difficult to distinguish passive materials from those deliberately engineered to trigger biological responses. This Editorial addresses this gap by introducing a foundational framework for defining and classifying biofunctional materials. Accordingly, biofunctional materials are defined as deliberately engineered material systems designed to engage biological environments and produce measurable and reproducible biological outcomes. To conceptualize this concept, biofunctionality is defined and described as a multidimensional continuum governed by four foundational pillars including structural, physicochemical, biological signaling, and adaptive functionality. Together, these pillars form a conceptual biofunctionality landscape, enabling materials to be interpreted according to the maturity of their functional mechanisms and the degree of integration across domains. By clarifying the distinction between passive biomaterials and actively biofunctional systems, this framework aims to provide a milestone, thereby to support clearer terminology, more rigorous evaluation, and more rational design of materials that decisively interact with living systems.

Mycelium materials are an emerging and promising class of biomaterials currently used primarily for biodegradable packaging and insulation. Their mechanical properties limit them to non-structural applications akin to polystyrene; however, post-processing techniques such as heat pressing may widen their possible applications, with some studies achieving metrics comparable to commercial particleboards. This integrative review analyzes studies focused on heat pressing mycelium composites, comparing the available quantitative data on mechanical properties. Among conventionally processed samples, mean tensile strength reached 6.3 MPa and elastic modulus 2138 MPa, with considerable variability across studies. Recent advances have achieved exceptional results: ultra-high-pressure processing (100 MPa) yielded tensile strengths of 12.5 MPa, approaching values for engineering plastics, while semi-wet hot-pressing achieved flexural strengths of 37.6 MPa. Correlation analysis revealed that pressure exerted a stronger influence on mechanical properties than temperature, with moderate to strong positive correlations across all measured outcomes. Optimal material properties appear achievable through temperatures of 130–170 °C combined with elevated pressures and controlled moisture content (~30%), which facilitates lignin plasticization and enhanced bonding. However, substantial heterogeneity in experimental methods and inconsistent property reporting across studies complicate direct comparisons. This review highlights the urgent need for standardized manufacturing and testing protocols in mycelium composite research and demonstrates the potential of heat pressing to produce sustainable, biodegradable alternatives to conventional particleboards.