Wound healing of scleral self-sealing incision: a comparison of ultrasound biomicroscopy and histology findings.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to compare the morphologic findings of wound healing in scleral self-sealing incisions using ultrasound biomicroscopy and histology.


METHODS
Using a slit-knife, we made a scleral self-sealing incision in the rabbit eye. At various time points postoperatively, ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed to evaluate wound healing; the eyes then were enucleated and studied histologically. We also performed ultrasound biomicroscopy at various time points postoperatively in patients who received a scleral self-sealing incision during cataract surgery.


RESULTS
In rabbit eyes, on days 1 and 2 postoperatively, we detected the scleral wound; thereafter, detection became increasingly difficult. On day 7 postoperatively, the wound was undetectable. By light-microscopic observation, the scleral wound was open at 1 day postoperatively. On day 2 postoperatively, fibrovascular tissue barely extended into the wound; on day 5 postoperatively, connective tissue extended through the full thickness of the wound. On day 7 postoperatively, the connective tissue became dense and aligned with the lamella. In human eyes, using ultrasound biomicroscopy, the scleral incision was detectable until 5 days postoperatively, but undetectable at 7 days postoperatively.


CONCLUSIONS
Ultrasound biomicroscopy demonstrates the stages of wound healing of scleral self-sealing incisions. We believe that careful observation is necessary for approximately 7 days following self-sealing incision cataract surgery.
Hikichi
T
T
Department of Ophthalmology, Asahikawa Medical University, Japan.
Yoshida
A
A
Hasegawa
T
T
Ohnishi
M
M
Sato
T
T
Muraoka
S
S
D000818:Animals; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011817:Rabbits; D012590:Sclera / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*