the efficacy of fibrin glue in corneal perforations

purpose : to determine the efficacy of fibrin glue in corneal perforations up to 3 mm in diameter methods : a case series study was performed on corneal perforations up to 3 mm who were admitted at farabi hospital- tehran. age, visual acuity, presence and size of corneal thinning, corneal epithelial defect, size and depth of corneal infiltration, site and size of corneal perforation, corneal vascularization, anterior chamber depth and reaction and the etiology of corneal perforation were recorded. then corneal perforation was sealed by using of fibrin glue and soft contact lens and the patients were followed for at least 3 months. results : of 18 patients, 8 patients were female and 10 patients were male. mean age was 52±25.7 years. size of corneal perforations were 0.6 to 3 mm (mean=1.88 mm). the etiologies of corneal perforation were postinfectious in 11 and noninfectious in 7 cases. fifteen eyes (83.3%) had successful healing of corneal perforation after 3 months. all the cases who failed had corneal perforation greater than 2 mm in diameter. success rate was significantly lower in corneal perforation > 2 mm in diameter. no case developed giant papillary conjunctivitis or secondary glaucoma. only one (5.6%) eye showed a significant increase in deep corneal vascularization. conclusion : fibrin glue is effective in the closure of corneal perforations up to 2 mm in diameter. corneal perforation > 2 mm in diameter may not respond well. it provides fast healing with low rate of corneal vascularization.   iranian journal of ophthalmology 200820(2):10-14