Organic tissue glue in the closure of cataract incisions.

We report our initial studies with a new organic tissue glue (Tisseel) in the closure of cataract incisions made in fresh cadaver eyes. We made two types of cataract incisions, posterior beveled and scleral pocket, and closed them with nylon sutures, glue, or a combination of both. The 11-mm posterior-beveled incision required eight nylon sutures, with or without glue, to maintain wound integrity at high intraocular pressures. We found the 7-mm and 11-mm pocket-type incisions to be essentially self-sealing and to leak only when posterior scleral lip pressure was applied. Once glue was added, even high posterior pressure did not disrupt the wound. This glue may thus present an alternative to suture closure of scleral pocket cataract incisions.