Aging Effect on Structures and Functions of Biohydrogel

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We focus on the development of a novel injectable accommodative lens for intraocular applications, which is based on a thermosensitive hydrophobically-modified poly(ethylene glycol) containing hydrophilized silica nanoparticles. By injection of elastic polymers into the capsular bag of the eye as a fluid, body temperature transforms the polymer into optically clear gel that has the shape of a full-sized biconvex and completely fills the capsular bag. The gel does not leak and entirely cohesive. Under the condition of uniform distribution of silica nanoparticles with small size (2-5 nm) in the gel matrix, an increase in refractive index up to 0.0667 were obtained for nanocomposite compared with native gel matrix without an increase in turbidity. This composite system could be formulated to match the modulus and the refractive index of the natural lens (~1.411). The potential benefits of a full-sized, flexible accommodating lens system go beyond providing the accommodation lost with age. In fillingthe capsule, it might more closely resemble the action of the young, natural lens, eliminating the possibility of any intracapsular space for cell growth. The obtained results indicate that the amphiphilic polymer studied here has potential as a biomaterial suitable not only for long-term accommodative intraocular lens, but other biomedical field