[Experimental study of the suture of the intraocular lens sutured to the ciliary sulcus. Needle passage and distance from the limbus].

OBJECTIVE

To discover which technique is best to scleral suture fixation of the lens in the ciliary sulcus, based on two needle direction options: passing the needle from the outer part of the eyeball inwards or from the inner part outwards and to know at what distance the needle must be passed from the sclerocorneal limbus.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used 40 cadaver eyes conserved in 10% formaldehyde. The needle was passed from the interior to the exterior of the eye, observing whether if it had crossed through the ciliary sulcus and the distance of the needle from the limbus. Stitches were also made, going from the exterior to the interior of the eyeball at a known distance from the limbus, either parallel to the iris or perpendicular to the sclera.

RESULTS

When the needle was passed from the interior toward the exterior of the eye, it passed through the ciliary sulcus, exiting the eye at 1.50+/-0.16 mm from the limbus, in 80% of the cases. When the needle was passed from the exterior toward the interior of the globe perpendicularly to the sclera only 32.5% passed through the sulcus and when it was parallel to the iris only, only 40%. There is greater statistical probability that the needle will pass through the sulcus from the interior of the eyeball, exiting the limbus at approximately 1.5 mm.

CONCLUSION

Since it is necessary to pass the suture through the sulcus in order to be able to place the lens haptics in the ciliary sulcus when suturing a posterior chamber lens to the sclera, it is best to pass the needle from the interior to the exterior of the eyeball and for the needle to exit at approximately 1.5 mm from the limbus.