Sutured clear corneal incision: wound apposition and permeability to bacterial-sized particles

To determine the effects of single radial or horizontal suture placement in 2-step clear corneal incision (CCI) wound apposition and permeability to particles of India ink.

Five fresh human globes were included. Two 25-gauge needles connected to a saline solution bag and to a digital manometer were inserted through the limbus, 120 degrees apart from each other. Four 2-step CCIs (2.75 mm wide and 3 mm length) were constructed in each cornea. Incisions were divided into 3 groups: single radial suture (SRS), single horizontal suture (SHS), and unsutured group. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was performed before and after suture placement. With a preset 10 mm Hg intraocular pressure (IOP), India ink was applied to the incision site and a standardized sudden IOP fluctuation was induced. OCT and superficial images were recorded before and after suture placement. India ink inflow and internal and external CCI gapping were outlined and measured by planimeter.

The area and linear distance of India ink inflow after pressure challenge in all study groups were higher when compared with pre-pressure measurements; however, this increase was significant in the SRS and SHS groups (P < 0.05). Additionally, SRS placement significantly increased inner wound gapping (P = 0.018), and SHS significantly widened outer wound gape (P = 0.02).

Well-constructed unsutured 2-step CCI seems to be more efficient at preventing bacterial-sized particles inflow during sudden changes in IOP, and it seems to offer better wound apposition as assessed by OCT.