Adherent ocular bandage for clear corneal incisions used in cataract surgery.

PURPOSE: To assess an adherent ocular bandage for clear corneal incisions (CCIs) in cataract surgery using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

SETTING

Prince Charles Eye Unit, Windsor, United Kingdom.

DESIGN

Case-control study.

METHODS

Patients having coaxial microincision cataract surgery (MICS) were allocated to an adherent ocular bandage group or to a control group. The CCIs were examined postoperatively within 2 hours and at 24 hours and 7 days using OCT imaging and a slitlamp fluorescein 2% Seidel test.

RESULTS

The ocular bandage group comprised 22 eyes and the control group, 23 eyes. The mean intraocular pressure (IOP) in the immediate postoperative period was significantly lower in the control group (13.4 mm Hg ± 5.28 [SD]; range 5 to 23 mm Hg) than in the bandage group (19.4 ± 5.94 mm Hg, range 11 to 29 mm Hg) (P<.001, t test). In the bandage group, all incisions were Seidel negative. In the control group, 1 main incision was Seidel positive. In 2 cases, the bandage successfully captured a micro-leak and thus maintained an intact anterior chamber. Differences in OCT architectural features between the bandage group and control group were noted.

CONCLUSIONS

The adherent ocular bandage protected the incisions, selectively adhering to deepithelialized areas and rapidly clearing from reepithelialized areas. The bandage helped maintain a more desirable IOP in the immediate postoperative period, likely by preventing micro-leaks.