Sealing of clear corneal incisions with autologous blood

Abstract

The author describes a novel technique of using autologous blood as a sealant to seal clear corneal phacoemulsification incisions, which leak even after stromal hydration at the end of phacoemulsification surgery. Using a 26-gauge, half-inch straight needle, mounted on an empty 2-mL syringe, limbal blood vessels near the leaking incisions are nicked so that mild blood oozes out. Once some blood is collected, this blood is spread over the incision by the property of surface tension using the 26-gauge needle tip and kept there for 20 to 40 seconds. By capillary action, it also seals the microleaks in the incision tunnel and forms a clot at the incision entry.