Dual-Crosslinked Betaine-Based Amphiphilic Hydrogel as a Promising Vitreous Substitute: Anti-Adhesion, Anti-Fouling, and Anti-Cell Proliferation.

Developing an ideal vitreous substitute remains a significant challenge in ophthalmic surgery. This study introduces a novel dual-crosslinked betaine-based amphiphilic polymer hydrogel (BAPHs) synthesized via in situ free radical copolymerization. The resulting BAPHs exhibit tunable viscoelasticity, intrinsic self-healing property, injectability, stable micromorphology, and optical transparency, all modifiable by adjusting the chemical cross-linker content. When tested in a vitrectomized rabbit model, the BAPHs demonstrated optimal optical properties, mechanical stability, and promising biocompatibility. These results suggest that the BAPHs offer a transformative approach to vitreous substitution, with the potential to overcome the limitations of current clinical materials, offering both structural and functional benefits.