Cataract wound closure with a polymerizing liquid hydrogel ocular bandage.

PURPOSE: To determine whether a polymerizing liquid hydrogel ocular bandage can create a watertight seal in a clear corneal cataract incision.

SETTING

Laboratory.

METHODS

Twenty-four clear corneal cataract wounds were made in eye-bank corneas. Twelve wounds were treated with a tissue-adherent hydrogel ocular bandage; 12 control wounds received no bandage. Each eye was tested under low-pressure conditions to detect fluid ingress of India ink on the eye's surface. Eyes were tested again with external compression to distort the wound to detect fluid egress.

RESULTS

India ink did not enter the wound in any incision in the treated group but did enter 9 (75%) of 12 incisions in the control group. Fluid egress with external manipulation did not occur in any treated eyes but did occur in 11 (92%) control eyes.

CONCLUSION

A tissue-adherent hydrogel ocular bandage created a watertight seal in clear corneal cataract wounds.