A Transparent, Antimicrobial, Bio-Ionic Liquid Functionalized Hydrogel for Corneal Injury Repair

Current approaches for corneal injury repair include suturing and cyanoacrylate glue, which are associated with numerous severe adverse events like astigmatism, necrosis, microbial infection, and vitreous fluid leakage, all of which hinder corneal healing. To address this clinical challenge, we propose an innovative, transparent, highly adhesive, supple, flexible, and antimicrobial bioadhesive hydrogel, BioPEG, composed of synthetic polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) and a cholinium-based bio-ionic liquid (BIL), to facilitate corneal repair and regeneration. This BioPEG hydrogel platform is based on visible light photoconjugation of PEGDA with choline-based BIL. High corneal adhesion, strength, repair, and regeneration were demonstrated <i>ex vivo</i> as well as <i>in vivo</i> using rabbit and porcine stromal defect models. Experimental models infected with <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> underscored BioPEG's ability for infection suppression while promoting re-epithelialization, showing BioPEG's safety and efficacy as an alternative, superior to the currently used modality of care for rapid corneal repair and regeneration.