To provide a poly-HEMA composition having a specific molecular weight range and a specific polydispersity.

The composition comprises a poly-HEMA having a peak molecular weight of about 25,000 to about 100,000, preferably about 25,000 to about 80,000, and a dispersity of less than about 2 and less than about 3.8, respectively, and having at least one crosslinkable functional group conjugately bonded thereto. Also provided are a low polydisperse poly-HEMA suitable for fabricating a crosslinkable prepolymer, a method for forming the crosslinkable prepolymer by functionalizing and purifying the polydisperse poly-HEMA, a viscous solution fabricated from the crosslinkable prepolymer, a hydrogel fabricated from the viscous solution, and products fabricated from the crosslinkable polymer, the hydrogel and the viscous solution.