Redox Dextran-Based Self-Adapting Adhesive Hydrogels for Subconjunctival Injury to Alleviate Inflammation and Accelerate Healing

Traumatic or chemical injuries to the conjunctival and subconjunctival tissue can lead to defects and associated inflammatory responses, significantly impairing the tissue repair process. Current repair methods lack effective integration of anti-inflammatory action with wound sealing. We combined redox dextran (POD) with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) through physical hydrogen bonds and boronic ester bonds and achieved structural reinforcement through freeze-thawing cycles, developing a novel, self-adapting, anti-inflammatory, dual-network hydrogel adhesive (POAD). The POD surface combines both high degree of freedom primary hydroxyl groups and reactive aldehyde groups, which significantly improves the cohesive and interfacial interactions. In addition, the hydrogel adapts to complex wound shapes and degrades slowly in the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS), relieving inflammation while making room for tissue regeneration and accelerating the tissue repair process. These properties suggest that POAD hydrogels will be an alternative strategy for future functional ocular surface reconstruction.