title: Evaluation of tensile strength of tissue adhesives and sutures for clear corneal incisions using porcine and bovine eyes, with a novel standardized testing platform.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Tissue adhesives for ophthalmologic applications were proposed almost 50 years ago, yet to date no adequate tissue glues have been identified that combine strong sealing properties with adequate safety and absence of postsurgical side effects. In recent years, cataract surgeries and Descemet's stripping with endothelial keratoplasty procedures have significantly increased the number of clear corneal incisions performed. One of the obstacles to discovery and development of novel tissue adhesives has been the result of nonstandardized testing of potential tissue glues.
  
  
  METHODS
  We developed an instrument capable of controlling intraocular pressure in explanted porcine and bovine eyes in order to evaluate sealants, adhesives, and surgical closure methods used in ophthalmic surgery in a controlled, repeatable, and validated fashion. We herein developed and validated our instrument by testing the adhesive properties of cyanoacrylate glue in both porcine and bovine explant eyes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The instrument applied and maintained intraocular pressure through a broad range of physiological intraocular pressures. Cyanoacrylate-based glues showed significantly enhanced sealing properties of clear corneal incisions compared with sutured wounds.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows the feasibility of our instrument for reliable and standardized testing of tissue adhesive for ophthalmological surgery.
authors.affiliation: Vision Research Center and Department of Ophthalmology, University of Missouri-Kansas City, School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaja
authors.forename: Daryl L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Goad
authors.forename: Fatima
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ali
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abraham
authors.forename: R Luke
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Rebenitsch
authors.forename: Savak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teymoorian
authors.forename: Rohit
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krishna
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Koulen