The invention provides methods and polymer compositions for treating retinal detachment and other ocular disorders, where the methods employ polymer compositions that can form a hydrogel in the eye of a subject. The hydrogel is formed by reaction of (i) a nucleo-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing a plurality of thio-functional groups —R1-SH wherein R1 is an ester-containing linker, such as a thiolated poly(vinyl alcohol) polymer and (ii) an electro-functional polymer that is a biocompatible polymer containing at least one thiol-reactive group, such as a poly(ethylene glycol) polymer containing alpha-beta unsaturated ester groups.