Relative strength of scleral corneal and clear corneal incisions constructed in cadaver eyes

Square scleral corneal, square clear corneal, and rectangular clear corneal incisions were constructed in six cadaver eyes that had no previous intraocular surgery. The 3.2 mm or smaller wounds had sutureless closures. To determine their relative abilities to resist leakage and iris prolapse, eyes were tested at external pressures of up to 525 pounds per square inch (psi) at one of two intraocular pressure (IOP) ranges: 10 to 15 mm Hg or 20 to 25 mm Hg. The square scleral corneal (3.2 mm x 3.2 mm) and square clear corneal wounds (3.2 mm x 3.2 mm, 2.0 mm x 2.0 mm, 1.0 mm x 1.0 mm) withstood external pressure without effect at both IOP ranges, up to the maximum 525 psi. This level of external pressure was far greater than pressures withstood by rectangular clear corneal wounds, especially the wound usually constructed in clinical practice (3.2 mm x 2.0 mm), which leaked and demonstrated iris prolapse at 13 psi at the lower IOP. The square clear corneal wounds that were stable at 525 psi, however, are either clinically impractical (visual axis encroachment from 3.2 mm x 3.2 mm wound) or not technologically feasible until the size of phacoemulsification tips and intraocular lenses can be further reduced. Thus, of the procedures for small incision cataract surgery presently in use, the square scleral corneal incision with 1.5 mm internal corneal lip appears to offer greater stability and safety than the conventional rectangular clear corneal incision (3.2 mm x 2.0 mm).