Advances in adhesive hydrogels applied for ophthalmology: An overview focused on the treatment

Abstract

Adhesive hydrogels, composed of hydrophilic polymers arranged in a three-dimensional network, have emerged as a pivotal innovation in ophthalmology due to their ability to securely adhere to ocular tissues while providing sustained therapeutic effects. The eye, with its delicate structure and specific needs, presents unique challenges for drug delivery and tissue regeneration. This review explores the transformative potential of adhesive hydrogels in addressing these challenges across a range of ocular conditions, including corneal injuries, cataracts, glaucoma, vitreoretinal disorders, and ocular trauma. By detailing the mechanisms of polymerization and adhesion, this paper highlights how these materials can be customized for specific ophthalmic applications, offering insights into their current use and future possibilities. The emphasis is placed on the clinical significance and future directions of adhesive hydrogels in advancing ophthalmic therapy, potentially revolutionizing the treatment of complex eye diseases.

Keywords: adhesive hydrogels; ophthalmology; polymerization and adhesion mechanisms; treatment of ocular diseases.

Figure 1

Classification of adhesive hydrogels for ocular applications.

Figure 2

Crosslinking and adhesion mechanisms of adhesive hydrogels.

Figure 3

Representative diagram of adhesive hydrogels applied for dry eye disease. A) Effectiveness of an ocular adhesive polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hybrid thermo-responsive FK506 hydrogel in a murine model of dry eye. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2022 Elsevier. B) Instant Adhesion of Amyloid-like Nanofilms with Wet Surfaces. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2022 American Chemical Society. C) A tissue-adhesive F127 hydrogel delivers antioxidative copper-selenide nanoparticles for the treatment of dry eye disease. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2024 Elsevier. D) Mucoadhesive phenylboronic acid-grafted carboxymethyl cellulose hydrogels containing glutathione for treatment of corneal epithelial cells exposed to benzalkonium chloride. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2024 Elsevier.

Figure 4

Representative diagram of adhesive hydrogels applied for eye surface infection. A) Drug-free contact lens based on quaternized chitosan and tannic acid for bacterial keratitis therapy and corneal repair. Adapted with permission from Copyright 2022 Elsevier. B) Thermosensitive tri-block polymer nanoparticle-hydrogel composites as payloads of natamycin for antifungal therapy against fusarium solani. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2022 Dove Medical Press. C) Mucoadhesive hybrid system of silk fibroin nanoparticles and thermosensitive in situ hydrogel for amphotericin b delivery: a potential option for fungal keratitis treatment. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2024 MDPI.

Figure 5

Representative diagram of adhesive hydrogels applied for corneal wound surgery. A) A Light-Curable and Tunable Extracellular Matrix Hydrogel for In Situ Suture-Free Corneal Repair. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2022 Wiley. B) Natural Dual-Crosslinking Bioadhesive Hydrogel for Corneal Regeneration in Large-Size Defects. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2022 Wiley. C) A "T.E.S.T." Hydrogel Bioadhesive Assisted by Corneal Cross-linking for In Situ Sutureless Corneal Repair. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2023 Wiley. D) Photocurable and Temperature-Sensitive Bioadhesive Hydrogels for Sutureless Sealing of Full-Thickness Corneal Wounds. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2024 Wiley.

Figure 6

Representative diagram of adhesive hydrogels applied for conjunctival defect and cataract. A) The role of Eudragit® as a component of hydrogel formulations for medical devices. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2023 Royal Society of Chemistry. B) Sutureless transplantation using a semi-interpenetrating polymer network bioadhesive for ocular surface reconstruction. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2022 Elsevier. C) Thermoresponsive genistein NLC-dexamethasone-moxifloxacin multi-drug delivery system in lens capsule bag to prevent complications after cataract surgery. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2021 Nature Portfolio.

Figure 7

Representative diagram of adhesive hydrogels applied for glaucoma. A) Self-assembling elastin-like hydrogels for timolol delivery: development of an ophthalmic formulation against glaucoma. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2017 American Chemical Society. B) Prevention of ocular tenon adhesion to sclera by a PDMAA polymer to improve results after glaucoma surgery. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2020 Wiley. C) Drug-free, nonsurgical reduction of intraocular pressure for four months after suprachoroidal injection of hyaluronic acid hydrogel. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2021 Wiley.

Figure 8

Representative diagram of adhesive hydrogels applied for retinal regeneration. A) Injectable, antioxidative, and tissue-adhesive nanocomposite hydrogel as a potential treatment for inner retina injuries. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2024 Wiley. B) Enhanced proliferation and differentiation of retinal progenitor cells through a self-healing injectable hydrogel. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2019 Royal Society of Chemistry. C) Mussel-inspired injectable hydrogel and its counterpart for actuating proliferation and neuronal differentiation of retinal progenitor cells. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2019 Elsevier.

Figure 9

Representative diagram of adhesive hydrogels applied for retinal detachment and open eye trauma. A) Patching retinal breaks with polyethylene glycol-based synthetic hydrogel sealant for retinal detachment in rabbits. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2018 Elsevier. B) Biocompatibility and efficacy of a linearly cross-linked sodium hyaluronic acid hydrogel as a retinal patch in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment repairment. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2022 Frontiers. C) A reversible thermoresponsive sealant for temporary closure of ocular trauma. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2017 American Association for the Advancement of Science. D) Application of a collagen-based membrane and chondroitin sulfate-based hydrogel adhesive for the potential repair of severe ocular surface injuries. Adapted with permission from , Copyright 2014 Oxford Academic.