[Experiments on animals to investigate the suitability of perforating corneal sutures (author's transl)].

Injuries of the cornea in rabbits are treated with perforating sutures using non-traumatic material (nylon and silk 9-0). Postoperative examinations with fluorescein showed the absence of fistulas along the suture in all cases. Histological examinations of the lacerations and sutures three respectively five weeks after the operation did not reveal any epithelial growth in the anterior chamber nor endothelial growth in the suture canal. We believe, therefore, that the use of perforating corneal sutures no longer presents any risks, especially when materials of up to 15-0 are used which are readily available.