Disclosed is a hydrogel composition comprising water, a first crosslinked polymer, and a second crosslinked polymer, wherein the first crosslinked polymer comprises poly(ethylene oxide) and the second crosslinked polymer comprises a hydrophilic polymer other than poly(ethylene oxide), wherein the first crosslinked polymer and the second crosslinked polymer form an interpenetrating network (IPN). The hydrogel of the present invention has an attractive combination of water absorption and compressive strength. The hydrogel composition finds use as a drug delivery device. The invention also provides a method of preparing such hydrogel composition.