Use of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive in small-incision cataract surgery

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: A controlled clinical study was performed on three different groups of patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Each patient had a 6.5-mm-wide scleral tunnel with phacoemulsification. Sealing of the incision was done either without suture, with an anchor suture, or with tissue adhesive (cyanoacrylate). The authors observed whatever induced astigmatism was present during the 1st and 12th weeks of the postoperative period. RESULTS: in the immediate postoperative period, astigmatism was significantly less (P < .01) in the groups of patients with suture and tissue adhesive than in the unsutured group. The results after 12 weeks were similar for the three groups (P > .05), with no complications observed as a result of the use of cyanoacrylate. CONCLUSION: Cyanoacrylate seems to be a promising innovation in scleral tunnel surgery for cataracts. It is an effective, a quick, and a safe alternative to sutures.