Watertight cataract incision closure using fibrin tissue adhesive.

PURPOSE To determine whether a simple method for applying fibrin tissue adhesive to a clear corneal cataract incision can create a watertight seal. SETTING Laboratory investigation. METHODS Clear corneal cataract incisions were simulated in 8 eye-bank eyes. In 4 eyes, fibrin adhesive was applied to the incision in a simple manner; the other 4 eyes were controls with no adhesive. Each eye was tested under low pressure conditions to detect fluid ingress of India Ink on the eye's surface. The eyes were tested again with external compression to distort the incision to detect fluid egress. RESULTS In the eyes with fibrin adhesive, there was no egress of fluid with incision distortion and no ingress of India Ink. In the 4 eyes without adhesive, there was ingress and egress of fluid. CONCLUSION A simple method of applying fibrin adhesive to cataract incisions created a watertight seal.