The reversible, temporary seal developed by researchers at University of Southern California in the US changes from a fluid to a super-strong semi-solid when applied to the eye.

When the patient is ready for surgery to permanently close the injury, doctors can remove the seal by adding cool water.

The material the group worked with for retinal implants is a hydrogel called PNIPAM, poly, which has a unique attribute that makes it a natural fit for this application.

When cooled, the hydrogel becomes a liquid for easy application, and when heated, it becomes a viscous semi-solid with strong adhesion, researchers said.

“Since the initial hydrogel’s transition temperature was very close to the temperature of the human eye, we had to modify its properties to ensure that it would form a solid seal as soon as the gel was applied to the eye by a soldier or medic,” said Niki Bayat, lead author of the study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine.