A Smart Fluorescent Hydrogel for Retinal Break Sealing Studied with Full-range SS-OCT

A study published in Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces introduced a novel intraocular microenvironment responsive fluorescent hydrogel (4 arm PEG Mal / 4 arm PEG SH) which underwent rapid gelation in weakly alkaline intraocular environment following injury, enabling effective sealing of retinal breaks in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD).

In vitro experiment confirmed the excellent responsive efficiency of the hydrogel in the intraocular environment. Furthermore, with fluorescein structure, this hydrogel material was visible under ultraviolet light, offering possibility for intraoperative observation. In vivo evaluation in a rabbit RRD model demonstrated progressive retinal reattachment, gradual break closure with scar formation, and suppression of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) over a 21 day observation period. All the results highlighted the great therapeutic potential of the hydrogel in significantly and effectively treating RRD and preventing PVR, presenting a promising new strategy.

A 100kHz speed swept-source OCT (YAlkaid, TowardPi Medical) was used in this animal study, playing a crucial role in monitoring the therapeutic efficacy. Without any add-on lens, high-resolution B-scan images of rabbits were easily acquired, clearly delineating the hydrogel plug at the break site and tracking dynamic changes of the break sealing.

This research is authored by Dr. Yuzheng Zhou, etc. team of Prof. Zhaodong Du from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and team from University of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Qingdao, China.