Intraocular use of hydrogel tissue adhesive in rabbit eyes.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the safety and efficacy of newly developed hydrogel glue to treat rhegmatogenous retinal detachments in in vitro and in vivo studies.


METHODS
In the in vitro study, the solid hydrogel glue was soaked in a balanced salt solution (BSS). The pH was measured periodically, and the dissolution time was recorded. In the in vivo study in six albino rabbits, 0.1 ml of hydrogel glue was injected into the right vitreous cavity, and 0.1 ml BSS was injected into the left vitreous, as the control. Clinical, electroretinography (ERG) and histological examinations were performed. Retinal detachment with a retinal hole was created in 12 albino rabbits after vitrectomy. After fluid-air exchange, the hydrogel glue was applied to the hole in nine rabbits; three other rabbits were used as controls. Clinical and histological examinations were performed.


RESULTS
The pH ranged from 6.65 to 8.14. The glue remained solid in BSS for 7 weeks. The glue injection did not induce inflammation. There was no significant difference between the study and control eyes in the ERG amplitude or the implicit times of the a and b waves. No significant histological abnormality was detected. The retina was reattached with glue in three of nine eyes. The histological examination showed glue under the retina.


CONCLUSIONS
Hydrogel glue, which seemed to be minimally toxic to the eye, can be used to patch retinal breaks. However, methods to mix a small amount of each solution completely and a more effective intraocular delivery system for the glue are needed.
Sueda
Jun
J
The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Fukuchi
Toshio
T
Usumoto
Nari
N
Okuno
Takashi
T
Arai
Mikki
M
Hirose
Tatsuo
T
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004596:Electroretinography; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D011817:Rabbits; D012117:Resins, Synthetic / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D012160:Retina / Q000502:physiology; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014014:Tissue Adhesives / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D014014:Tissue Adhesives; D020136:Hydrogel, Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate; C030189:Dura-Seal