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Abstract
Background
Tissue adhesives for ophthalmologic applications were proposed almost 50 years ago, yet to date no adequate tissue glues have been identified that combine strong sealing properties with adequate safety and absence of postsurgical side effects. In recent years, cataract surgeries and Descemet’s stripping with endothelial keratoplasty procedures have significantly increased the number of clear corneal incisions performed. One of the obstacles to discovery and development of novel tissue adhesives has been the result of nonstandardized testing of potential tissue glues.
Methods
We developed an instrument capable of controlling intraocular pressure in explanted porcine and bovine eyes in order to evaluate sealants, adhesives, and surgical closure methods used in ophthalmic surgery in a controlled, repeatable, and validated fashion. We herein developed and validated our instrument by testing the adhesive properties of cyanoacrylate glue in both porcine and bovine explant eyes.
Results
The instrument applied and maintained intraocular pressure through a broad range of physiological intraocular pressures. Cyanoacrylate-based glues showed significantly enhanced sealing properties of clear corneal incisions compared with sutured wounds.
Conclusion
This study shows the feasibility of our instrument for reliable and standardized testing of tissue adhesive for ophthalmological surgery.
Acknowledgments
This study was supported by the Felix and Carmen Sabates Missouri Endowed Chair in Vision Research and the Vision Research Foundation of Kansas City. We thank Dr Larry and Betsy Piebenga, Margaret, Richard, and Sara Koulen for their generous support and encouragement.
Disclosure
The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.