Hydrogel adhesive helps secure corneal transplants

A new hydrogel adhesive may help to reduce the number of sutures needed for corneal transplants, a study found.

Mark W. Grinstaff, PhD, of Boston University, and colleagues used dendritic macromolecules to formulate the hydrogel, which is specifically intended for repairing corneal wounds. Two macromers, combined in an aqueous environment, polymerize in situ to form a stable hydrogel, according to the study authors.

"Complications in [penetrating keratoplasty] are often a result of the use of sutures. A sutureless corneal transplant procedure would significantly improve PK," the authors said.

While the hydrogel did not allow the elimination of sutures, the authors said, it did reduce the number of sutures required; eight sutures plus the hydrogel were as effective as the standard 16 sutures in conventional PK. The hydrogel barrier may also protect the corneal wound from infection, they added.

In an in vitro model, corneal transplant wounds were sealed using eight interrupted nylon sutures alone, the sutures plus the hydrogel, or the hydrogel alone. Following surgery, average leaking pressure was 5 mm Hg for the sutures alone and 77 mm Hg for the sutures plus hydrogel sealant. The hydrogel alone could not secure a safe leaking pressure, the study found.

The study is published in the July 19 issue of Bioconjugate Chemistry.