Chain entanglement-stabilized injectable zwitterionic hydrogel for vitreous replacement and retinal tamponade

Vitreoretinal diseases often require vitrectomy followed by intraocular tamponade to stabilize the retina. Although commonly used expansile gases and silicone oil (SO) can promote retinal reattachment, long-term vitreous replacement remains limited by postural requirements and postoperative complications, including inflammation and SO emulsification. Here, we report an injectable poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) (PMPC) zwitterionic hydrogel stabilized by topological chain entanglements as a vitreous substitute with clinical translational potential. The PMPC hydrogel is delivered via minimally invasive shear-thinning injection and demonstrates favorable long-term intraocular tolerability and biocompatibility in a rabbit vitrectomy model. We further assess its tamponade-relevant performance in a rabbit rhegmatogenous retinal detachment model by examining its ability to maintain break coverage and support sustained retinal reattachment. Importantly, this PMPC hydrogel is built from a clinically validated zwitterionic polymer with established industrial supply and regulatory precedent, which may reduce manufacturing and regulatory complexity and facilitate earlier clinical evaluation as a practical alternative to SO.