| Abstract Scope |
The vitreous cavity occupies over 80% of ocular volume. With age, collagen fibers break down causing liquefaction, leading to retinal detachment. Vitrectomy is a surgery that replaces the vitreous with a substitute and the only FDA approved substitute is silicone oil. However, silicone oil lacks viscoelasticity and can cause cataracts, high intraocular pressure, and retinal toxicity. This study investigates poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogels as alternatives for the vitreous by comparing mechanical and optical properties to the native vitreous.
PEG-based vitreous substitutes were created at concentrations of 2%, 2.7%, 2.81%, 3%, and tested for viscoelasticity, injectability, degradation, refractive index, swelling ratio, and mesh size. Mechanical stability was assessed by evaluating gel behavior pre- and post-swelling. Results indicate that 2.81% most closely mimics the native vitreous, while all PEGDA formulations demonstrated optical properties like the native vitreous. This demonstrates PEGDA hydrogels have a strong potential as substitutes while maintaining ocular health. |