Hydrogels, which mimic living tissue more than any other synthetic biomaterial because of their high water content and tensile strength, have numerous clinical applications in ophthalmology. Their soft, rubbery consistency can minimize friction with surrounding cells and tissue,¹ and their degree of flexibility is similar to the eye’s natural tissues. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), the main component in many hydrogels, is commonly found in drugs, implants, and injectables. Use of hydrogels also avoids the risks associated with medical technologies based on biological components such as human thrombin materials.

Currently, two ocular bandages made from PEG hydrogels are commercially available in Europe: the ReSure Adherent Ocular Bandage (Ocular Therapeutix, Inc., Bedford, Massachusetts) and OcuSeal Liquid Ocular Bandage (Roundtable Healthcare Partners, Lake Forest, Illinois).

I have used both products, but I prefer ReSure for the following reasons:

• Its foam-tipped applicator enables accurate placement over the incision;
• Up to four transfers of material can be obtained from each mixture before it polymerizes, which is particularly useful when applications are made at different stages of the procedure; and
• A visualization aid (FD&C Blue No. 1) helps determine thickness and placement of the application, especially on a transparent surface such as the cornea. The dye thereafter diffuses from the hydrogel and leaves behind a transparent material within 1 or 2 hours.

The PEG component of the hydrogel is supplied as a powder that, when mixed with a diluant, forms a blue precursor (Figure 1). I recommend mixing these components approximately 5 minutes before the surgeon is ready to use the hydrogel. First, a drop of the blue precursor and a drop of an accelerator solution (buffered sodium phosphate tetraborate decahydrate) are placed on a hydrophobic foil pouch (Figure 2). Once the blue precursor and accelerator are mixed, they react to form the hydrogel in approximately 30 seconds.

APPLICATION TIPS

Tip No. 1: The ocular surface at the site of application must be dry to achieve appropriate adhesion. If applied to a wet surface, the hydrogel will migrate with the fluid before it has time to polymerize over the wound. I have found the best method for application is to place a cellulose spear or surgical sponge over the wound with one hand until the hydrogel is applied with the other hand.

Tip No. 2: Use only enough hydrogel to cover the incision. The hydrogel adheres to the ocular surface according to how much epithelial damage surrounds the wound. With more expansive epithelial damage, selective and prolonged adherence can last up to 2 weeks, thus eliminating the need for multiple layers of hydrogel. Avoid applying excess hydrogel, as too much material can create a protuberance and lead to foreign body sensation.

IMPROVING WOUND INTEGRITY

Wound integrity of clear corneal incisions (CCIs) can be compromised in the first few hours after surgery by deforming forces such as removal of the lid speculum, sneezing, and squeezing or rubbing the eye. Resulting changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) can lead to leakage and hypotony, which can trigger further complications. Additionally, a suction effect as the anterior chamber attempts to maintain a stable IOP can result in ingress of fluid from the tear film—a significant risk factor for endophthalmitis.

I recently tracked the wound architecture and healing pattern of CCIs with (n=22) and without (n=23) the use of the ReSure hydrogel bandage. Within 2 hours of surgery and at 24 hours and 7 days after surgery, optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were obtained. CCIs with the hydrogel bandage had relatively higher IOP than CCIs in the control group (19.4 ±5.94 mm Hg vs 13.4 ±5.28 mm Hg; P<.001). Microleaks captured under the hydrogel at the external lip of the wound could also be observed (Figure 3). This finding suggests that microleaks, difficult to detect with Seidel test but clearly visible as a bleb of fluid beneath the hydrogel,² may be more common than previously thought. Because they can lead to a decrease in IOP following surgery, microleaks can cause internal endothelial wound gape and other wound complications.

CONCLUSION

Hydrogel bandages form a smooth in-line profile to cover areas of epithelial damage with the appearance of pseudoepithelium (Figures 4 and 5). They improve patient comfort, particularly in the first few days following surgery, and in the majority of eyes they are gone by 1 week after surgery as they are gradually replaced by healing tissue.

The ReSure hydrogel bandage is a useful adjunct in cataract surgery, especially if the quality of the wound architecture is questionable, such as those created by a junior surgeon in training or when the wound is too short or steep. Higher-risk patients—those with diabetes, those who have had previous vitreoretinal or glaucoma surgery, and those in whom premium IOLs (toric or multifocal) are being implanted, where the lens will require good stability in the capsular bag—would also benefit from the added protection of a hydrogel bandage.

Daniel Calladine, MRCOphth, BMBS, BMedSci, is a Registrar Ophthalmologist in the Oxford Deanery, United Kingdom. He is also a postgraduate research student with Nottingham and Reading Universities, investigating new applications for hydrogels in ophthalmology. Mr. Calladine states that he has no financial interests in the products or companies mentioned. He may be reached at e-mail: drdancalladine@doctors.org.uk.

1. 1.Ratner BD,Hoffman AS.Synthetic hydrogels for biomedical applications.Hydrogels for Medical and Related Applications. 1976:31:1-36.
2. Calladine D,Ward M,Packard R.Adherent ocular bandage for clear corneal incisions used in cataract surgery.J Cataract Refract Surg.2010;36:1839-1848.