BIOADHESIVE FOR CORNEAL REPAIR

1 - 36 . (canceled)

37 . A composition for promoting general eye health comprising a methacryloyl-substituted gelatin, a visible light activated photoinitiator, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the methacryloyl-substituted gelatin has a degree of methacryloyl substitution between about 60% and about 85%, and wherein the methacryloyl-substituted gelatin is present at a concentration between about 5% and about 25% (w/v).

38 . The composition of claim 37 , wherein the methacryloyl-substituted gelatin comprises methacrylamide substitution and methacrylate substitution, and the ratio of methacrylamide substitution to methacrylate substitution is between 80:20 and 99:1.

39 . The composition of claim 37 , wherein the methacryloyl-substituted gelatin is present at a concentration of about 5% (w/v), about 10% (w/v), or about 20% (w/v).

40 . The composition of claim 37 , wherein the visible light activated photoinitiator is selected from: Eosin Y, triethanolamine, vinyl caprolactam, dl-2,3-diketo-1,7,7-trimethylnorcamphane (CQ), 1-phenyl-1,2-propadione (PPD), 2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl-diphenylphosphine oxide (TPO), bis(2,6-dichlorobenzoyl)-(4-propylphenyl)phosphine oxide (Ir819), 4,4′-bis(dimethylamino)benzophenone, 4,4′-bis(diethylamino)benzophenone, 2-chlorothioxanthen-9-one, 4-(dimethylamino)benzophenone, phenanthrenequinone, ferrocene, diphenyl(2,4,6 trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide/2-hydroxy-2-methylpropiophenone (50/50 blend), dibenzosuberenone, (benzene) tricarbonylchromium, resazurin, resorufin, benzoyltrimethylgermane, derivatives thereof, or any combination thereof.

41 . The composition of claim 37 , wherein the visible light activated photoinitiator is a mixture comprising Eosin Y, triethanolamine, and vinyl caprolactam.

42 . The composition of claim 37 , wherein the concentration of Eosin Y is between 0.0125 and 0.5 mM, the concentration of triethanolamine is between 0.1 and 2% w/v, and the concentration of vinyl caprolactam is between 0.05 and 1.5% w/v.

43 . The composition of claim 37 , wherein the composition further comprises a therapeutic agent.

44 . The composition of claim 43 , wherein the therapeutic agent is an anti-inflammatory agent.

45 . The composition of claim 44 , wherein the anti-inflammatory agent is a corticosteroid.

46 . The composition of claim 45 , wherein composition is for treatment, reconstruction or repair of the cornea or sclera of the eye.

47 . A crosslinked methacryloyl-substituted gelatin hydrogel produced from the composition of claim 37 .

48 . The hydrogel of claim 47 , wherein the hydrogel is substantially transparent.

49 . The hydrogel of claim 47 , wherein the hydrogel has a Young's Modulus between 250-350 kPa.

50 . The hydrogel of claim 47 , wherein the hydrogel has a degree of crosslinking between about 85% to about 95%.

51 . The hydrogel of claim 47 , wherein the hydrogel has a swelling ratio of less than 20%.

52 . A method of producing a crosslinked methacryloyl-substituted gelatin hydrogel, the method comprising exposing the composition of claim 37 to visible light.

53 . The method of claim 52 , wherein the composition is exposed to visible light with a wavelength in the range of 450 to 550 nm.

54 . The method of claim 52 , wherein the composition is exposed to visible light for a time period between 10 and 300 seconds.

55 . A crosslinked methacryloyl-substituted gelatin hydrogel produced by the method of claim 52 .

56 . The hydrogel of claim 55 , wherein the hydrogel is substantially transparent.

57 . The hydrogel of claim 55 , wherein the hydrogel has a Young's Modulus between 250-350 kPa.

58 . The hydrogel of claim 55 , wherein the hydrogel has a degree of crosslinking between 85%-95%.

59 . The hydrogel of claim 55 , wherein the hydrogel has a swelling ratio of less than 20%.