Straight-entrance, sclerocorneal valve incision with horizontal sutures for poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular...

Self-sealing sclerocorneal tunnel incisions with an external frown entry are widely used for implantation of poly(methyl methacrylate) intraocular lenses. Although safe and effective, these incisions have certain drawbacks. We developed a wound construction in which a straight external incision is used in conjunction with a tension-free, infinity-type suture. Out of 100 consecutive cases, only two did not seal satisfactorily at the conclusion of surgery but were tight upon placement of re-enforcing sutures. Postoperatively, the valve remained tight in all cases; there were no cases of hypotony, filtering bleb, flat chamber, or pupil capture or endophthalmitis indicating transient leakage. Flattening in the vertical and steepening in the horizontal meridian were minor and nonprogressive.