Cyanoacrylate temporary tarsorrhaphy in the management of corneal epithelial defects

Cyanoacrylate tarsorrhaphy is an easily administered, painless technique for the temporary management of corneal epithelial defects. We have used the technique in 17 patients to treat persistent epithelial defects and exposure keratitis, as well as following epikeratophakia, allowing the tarsorrhaphy to remain in place for 1 to 15 days (mean, 5.7 days). Eleven of the 17 patients required only one application of cyanoacrylate; five had additional cyanoacrylate applied at the time of the original tarsorrhaphy to produce more extensive lid closure; and one required additional cyanoacrylate on day 3 to produce more extensive lid apposition.