| abstract |
Provided are shear-thinning ocular hydrogel compositions that comprise 0.1 to 5.0 wt.% (e.g. 0.1 to 3.5 wt.% or 0.1 to 2.5wt.%) of a microgel particle-forming polymer; and 0.5 to 100mM of a monovalent and/or polyvalent metal ion salt as a cross-linking agent; dispersed in an aqueous vehicle. The hydrogel compositions have a pH within the range of 3 to 8 and the viscosity of the gel composition reduces when the gel is exposed to shear. The compositions comprise decorin. The may also comprise an antibiotic, such as gentamicin, and an anti- inflammatory steroid, such as prednisolone. The compositions are suitable for medical use in the treatment of the eye. For example, the compositions are suitable for use in the inhibition of scarring and/or the prevention or treatment of microbial keratitis. |