After this surgical lab, the resident/student will be able to:

· Understand the physics of corneal wound/incision closure

· Create and close linear and stellate corneal incisions

 

Materials

· Pig/goat eyes

· Supersharp blades

· Viscoelastic

· BSS

· Fine non-locking needle holders

· 10-0 nylon suture

· Colibri or straight 0.12 or 0.3 forceps

· Vannas scissors

· Tying forceps

 

Preparation

Please read the following:

1. Macsai chapter on physics of wound closure (all)

2. Krachmer section on corneal laceration repair (all)

 

Procedure

1. Inject some BSS into the anterior chamber of the pig/goat eye to reform the anterior chamber to physiologic turgor. 

2. Use a blade to create a linear partial thickness incision in the cornea.

3. Close this incision with 10-0 nylon sutures in an interrupted fashion.

4. Repeat process with a full thickness linear incision as well as a stellate (Mercedes sign) full thickness incision.  

5. Reform the anterior chamber with BSS to confirm that wound is free of leakage.