Injectable self inflating hydrogel pellet expanders for the treatment of orbital volume deficiency in congenital microphthalmos: preliminary results with a new therapeutic approach

The use of self-inflating hydrogel expanders in pediatric patients with congenital microphthalmia in China

“…The simplest method entails using progressively larger acrylic conformers to expand the conjunctival sacs, but this necessitates frequent exchanges of the conformers and results in limited expansion. 7 Fixedsized orbital implants poorly stimulate orbital growth. Dermis fat grafts have the advantage of being autologous and can enlarge as the child grows; however, occasional complications include cilia growth, excessive dermis-fat growth, and central ulceration.…”

“…7 The volume deficit was calculated as described above. The volume of the injected liquid was divided by 0.24 mL to determine the number of pellets needed for injection (0.24 mL is the final volume of each pellet expander).…”

“…Several subsequent studies have reported good outcomes with hydrogel expanders. [7][8][9] The hydrogel expanders are made of a highly hydrophilic compound consisting of N-vinylpyrrolidone and methyl methacrylate, also commonly used to make soft contact lenses and some intraocular lenses. The hydrogel attracts water from the surrounding tissue by osmosis and is thus self-expanding.…”

A new conformer design to expand the horizontal lid fissure in severely microphthalmic eyes

“…As the pellets hydrate osmotically, they increase in size. 12 An advantage of this approach is that these pellets can be placed even in the presence of narrow lid fissures.…”

Biomaterial Scaffolds in Pediatric Tissue Engineering

“…Initial results indicated that palate repair was surgically easier using hydrogel implantation and facial growth distortions may be reduced (40). Injectable hydrogel pellets (N-vinyl pyrrolidone methylmethacrylate) have been successfully used for treatment of congenital microphthalmos in pediatric patients (41). Silicone hydrogel contact lenses were also used as a therapeutic treatment for a variety of eye conditions in pediatric patients (42).…”