Posterior Flap Hydration of Clear Corneal Incisions in Cataract Surgery: Influence on Corneal Wound Tightness and Architecture

Posterior Flap Hydration of Clear Corneal Incisions: Influence on Wound Tightness and Architecture

Sutureless clear corneal incision (CCI) is the most commonly used technique for creating an entrance wound in cataract surgery. Corneal incision hydration enhances wound tightness and reduces postoperative fluid suction from the ocular surface into the anterior chamber; thereby, loweres the risk of postoperative endophthalmitis. Various hydration methods have been employed to close corneal incisions. Standard CCI hydration may be ineffective in sutureless incisions with central wound gaping.

Authors described a new technique of hydration: a posterior flap hydration technique. This study evaluates its effect on corneal wound tightness immediately after hydration, and assess wound architecture on the first postoperative day using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

The study subjects are patients with uncomplicated cataracts, without other eye diseases and without diseases affecting wound healing (e.g. diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.), who have a visible central wound gap of the CCI at the end of the surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• cataract
• visible central wound gap of CCI at the end of the surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• any other ocular pathology
• serious systhemic diseases