Laboratory model of tissue adhesive (2-octyl cyanoacrylate) in sealing clear corneal cataract wounds.

Purpose: To determine the efficacy of a tissue adhesive (2-octyl cyanoacrylate with parabens; Liquid Bandage, Johnson & Johnson, Skillman, New Jersey) in sealing clear corneal cataract wounds.

Design: Laboratory investigation.

Methods: Seven human donor globes were prepared for Miyake video microscopy. A 3.0-mm clear corneal incision was created. A transscleral cannula was inserted and connected to a bottle of saline. The bottle height was varied to alter intraocular pressure. Droplets of India ink were placed on the wound. Main outcome measure was any influx of India ink into the anterior chamber as viewed through the Miyake system with intraocular pressure (IOP) fluctuation or with manual pressure. If India ink was present in the eye, it was irrigated out, and the experiment was repeated with IOP fluctuation and manual pressure after the application of 2-octyl cyanoacrylate to the wound.

Results: One eye demonstrated the presence of India ink inside the eye on IOP reduction to <5 mm Hg. Three eyes demonstrated the presence of India ink inside the eye with manual pressure. Three eyes did not leak with manual pressure or IOP variation. All seven eyes without glue leaked with exaggerated manual pressure at the wound edge. Of the seven eyes with tissue adhesive, none demonstrated influx of India ink with IOP variation or manual wound manipulation.

Conclusions: Our laboratory model demonstrates that 2-octyl cyanoacrylate prevents the influx of ocular surface fluid independent of IOP and manual wound manipulation. Further investigations in clinical models are necessary to determine the future use of this adhesive barrier substance.