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DOI: 10.1177/0883911506064368 Internal Osmotic Pressure as a Mechanism of Retinal Attachment in a Vitreous Substitute
Surgical Services, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 63106, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
Surgical Services, St. Louis VA Medical Center, St. Louis, MO, 63106, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA ravi{at}vision.wustl.edu In this study, the possibility of using the internal osmotic pressure of intraocular polymeric hydrogel materials to attach the retina in the repair of a retinal tear or hole was investigated. This is in contrast to the conventional methods of retinal detachment repair (intraocular gas, polydimethylsiloxane, or n-perfluorooctane), which rely on surface tension and have recognized limits. The system selected for implementation of this scheme was based on an acrylamide copolymer that was crosslinked in an aqueous solution to provide a transparent hydrogel which allowed control of the swelling pressure. Synthetic hydrogels, such as those selected here, provide an alternative to materials currently used as vitreous prostheses.
Key Words: vitreous substitute osmotic pressure retinal detachment retinal tamponade hydrogel vitreous prothesis macular holes retinal tears retinal detachments vitreous hemorrhage
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