Inflow of ocular surface fluid through clear corneal cataract incisions: A laboratory model

Purpose To evaluate the self-sealing properties of standard clear corneal cataract incisions during two events: (1) application of mechanical external pressure, or (2) controlled fluctuation of intraocular pressure (IOP). Design Laboratory investigation. Methods Eight fresh human donor globes were prepared for Miyake video microscopy. A standard two-plane 3-mm clear corneal incision was created and a 3 × 3-mm sponge soaked with India ink was placed on the wound surface. One globe with a sutured corneal wound served as the control. A transcleral cannula was inserted and connected to a bottle of saline. Intraocular pressure was modified varying the bottle height. External pressure was applied through manual contact on different regions of cornea. Results Four of seven eyes demonstrated intraocular presence of ink, three of them after external manipulation and another after varying the IOP. Conclusion Self-sealing properties of unsutured clear corneal wounds were compromised in our model. These data may give insight into the possible mechanisms involved in the inflow of extraocular fluid into the eye through clear corneal cataract incisions.