System for sutureless closure of scleral perforations and other ocular tissue discontinuities

A method for reversibly sealing an ocular perforation, the method comprising applying a temperature-responsive hydrogel to a tear in ocular tissue of a subject in an amount effective to seal the tear, the temperature-responsive hydrogel including a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer at a concentration of about 10 weight percent to about 60 weight percent in water, wherein the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) copolymer (i) is a copolymer of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) and a second polymer that is either a polymer of N-tert-butylacrylamide or butylacrylate, (ii) has a weight percent ratio of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) to the second polymer of about 95:5 to about 70:30, and (iii) has a number average molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 5,000,000 Daltons, wherein when exposed to a temperature above its critical solution temperature, the temperature-responsive hydrogel becomes adhesive, and when exposed to a temperature below its critical solution temperature, the temperature-responsive hydrogel becomes less adhesive, wherein the temperature-responsive hydrogel is maintained at a temperature below its critical solution temperature prior to said applying.