Credit: Nichole Bohner, Pixabay

Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology in Korea are exploring the use of alginate, the mucilaginous substance responsible for the slick surface of seaweeds, to replace medical intraocular fillers, like expandable gas or silicone oil treatment, for retinal detachment.

Alginate, also known as alginic acid, is widely used in various industries, including food and medicine, for its ability to create viscous products. In this research, the team crafted a medical composite hydrogel based on alginate, offering a potential alternative for vitreous replacement. The hydrogel, which has high biocompatibility and optical properties akin to an authentic vitreous body, enables patients to preserve their vision post-surgery, they said. Furthermore, its distinctive viscoelasticity effectively regulates fluid dynamics within the eye, contributing to retinal stabilisation and the elimination of air bubbles.

Implanting the hydrogel into rabbit eyes, the researchers demonstrated its success in preventing the recurrence of retinal detachment, maintaining stability and functioning well over an extended period without any adverse effects.

The full study findings are published in Biomaterials.