Bioadhesives for intraocular use.
OBJECTIVE
A safe, effective adhesive could be useful in the management of retinal holes or tears and selected complicated retinal detachments, as well as for attaching a small electronic device (retinal prosthesis) to the retina. In this study, we examined nine commercially available compounds for their suitability as intraocular adhesives.


METHODS
The following materials were studied: commercial fibrin sealant, autologous fibrin, Cell-Tak, three photocurable glues, and three different polyethylene glycol hydrogels. An electronic strain gauge measured the adherence forces between different glues and the retina. The stability of hydrogels at body temperature and the impermeability of the hydrogel adhesive to dextran blue were examined. Long-term biocompatibility testing of the most promising glues in terms of adhesive force, consistency, and short-term safety (hydrogels) were done in rabbits. Funduscopy, electroretinogram, and histology of the retina were performed.


RESULTS
Hydrogels had 2 to 39 times more adhesive force (measured in mN) than the other glues tested. They liquefied at body temperature after 3 days to a few months. Hydrogels were impermeable to dextran blue. One type of hydrogel proved to be nontoxic to the retina.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydrogels proved to be superior for intraocular use in terms of consistency, adhesiveness, stability, impermeability, and safety.
Margalit
E
E
Intraocular Prosthesis Group, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins, Baltimore, Maryland 21287, USA.
Fujii
G Y
GY
Lai
J C
JC
Gupta
P
P
Chen
S J
SJ
Shyu
J S
JS
Piyathaisere
D V
DV
Weiland
J D
JD
De Juan
E
E
Humayun
M S
MS
D000268:Adhesiveness; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004355:Drug Stability; D008422:Materials Testing; D010539:Permeability; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000628:therapy; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000628:therapy; D012449:Safety; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D014014:Tissue Adhesives