Scientists have created a "glowing" gel that enhances the quality of eye surgeries.

This development may reduce complications following cataract surgery – one of the most common procedures worldwide.

During cataract surgery, surgeons remove the cloudy lens and replace it with an artificial one. A transparent hydrogel is introduced into the eye, which expands the eye and protects the cornea. However, incomplete removal of this gel can lead to increased intraocular pressure, pain, and even long-term vision loss. Erick Rocher and Allen Eghrari, researchers from the Wilmer Eye Institute, have created a transparent gel that fluoresces green under blue light, allowing surgeons to monitor its complete removal after surgery. According to the researchers, this innovation could enhance the safety and effectiveness of cataract surgery and other eye procedures.

The findings of this study were published on the cover of the Journal of Cataract & Refractive Surgery. Eric Rocher and Allen Eghrari have also filed a preliminary patent application for this invention.

“Since the gel needs to be transparent for the surgeon's work, it can be very easily left behind,” says Rocher, the first author of the study.

Now, upon completing the operation, surgeons can be absolutely certain that all the gel has been removed.

The new gel not only contains fluorescein and hyaluronic acid but also chemically binds the fluorescent dye to the polymer forming the gel. Under normal lighting during the procedure, the gel appears transparent, but as soon as the surgery is completed and the surgeon switches to blue light, the gel glows green, allowing surgeons to detect even the smallest traces of residual gel. The latest digital microscopes can even illuminate the gel without requiring additional blue light.

“In addition to more complete gel removal, an important advantage is that we know every component is safe for the eye and is already used in clinical settings,” says Eghrari. “Moreover, the chemical reaction that gives the gel its visibility does not lead to significant changes in its viscosity. Therefore, we believe this gel is easy to implement: it feels very similar to the gels surgeons are familiar with.”

Although the gel has demonstrated its effectiveness in pig models, the researchers still need to assess its efficacy and safety in human trials. The team faces two key challenges: scaling up production of the gel for clinical use and determining the optimal dye concentrations.