Induction of cataracts of varying degrees of hardness in human eyes obtained postmortem for cataract surgeon training.

PURPOSE: To report a method of inducing nuclear cataracts of varying degree of hardness using intralenticular injection of the Karnovsky solution.

METHODS

Twelve postmortem human eyes were prepared according to the Miyake-Apple posterior video technique. After performing capsulorhexis and hydrodissection/delineation, 0.2 ml of the Karnovsky solution was injected into the lens nucleus of the eyes. Manual extracapular cataract extraction techniques and various two-handed phacoemulsification maneuvers were then practiced at various time intervals after the injection.

RESULTS

Uniform nuclear cataracts with varying degrees of hardness were successfully induced in all globes. The optimum dose of the Karnovsky solution and time for induction of nuclear hardness of grade 3 (ideal for practicing two-handed phacoemulsification maneuvers) were 0.2 ml and 15 minutes, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The Karnovsky solution can be successfully used for the induction of hard, uniform nuclear cataracts for learning/practicing extracapular cataract extraction and phacoemulsification.