OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of fibrin glue derived from a single human donor for sealing induced penetrating corneal wounds on cadaveric porcine eyes compared to conventional suturing.

METHODS: Forty (40) porcine eyes were randomized into two groups. In the experimental group, the corneal incisions were sealed using fibrin glue prepared from a single human donor. Eyes in the control group were sealed using two interrupted nylon 10-0 sutures. Baseline intraocular pressures were obtained and an anterior chamber maintainer connected to the Centurion Vision System was inserted through a side port. A 3 mm metal keratome was used to create a uniform, central, full-thickness straight incision in all eyes. After making the incision, the presence or absence of leakage was determined using Seidel's test. The eyes were then sealed according to the group they were randomized in. The intraocular pressure (IOP) was gradually increased using the Centurion Vision System to determine the leakage pressure of all sealed eyes in both groups.

RESULTS: The mean baseline IOP was comparable between the two groups (control group = 21.15 + 1.66 mmHg; experimental group = 21.65 + 1.81, p value = 0.299). All eyes in the control group, showed no leakage immediately after sealing the corneal wounds with sutures. One out of twenty eyes in the experimental group was positive for leakage after application of the fibrin glue (p value = 0.5). The mean leakage pressure was significantly higher for the suture group at 90.25 + 14.9 mmHg compared to the fibrin glue group at 32.30 + 7.6 mmHg (p value = <0.001).

CONCLUSION: Fibrin glue prepared from a single donor is comparable to two nylon 10-0 sutures in sealing 3 mm corneal penetrating wounds at IOP of up to 32 mmHg. For higher IOP, nylon 10-0 suture is more effective than fibrin glue in sealing the corneal penetrating wounds in cadaveric porcine eyes.