Emulsion polymer isocyanate-gluing: Autologous epithelial transplant with cyanoacrylate glue application for small corneal perforations

Cyanoacrylate glue (CG) is a commonly employed modality for sealing small corneal perforations. Presently, we describe the technique of emulsion polymer isocyanate (EPI)-gluing, a modification of its application, and its results in nine eyes with noninfectious, nontraumatic sterile corneal perforation with size <= 3 mm. The method involves harvesting a small patch of autologous epithelium adjacent to the melt area with the help of 10% alcohol and transplanting to the site of melt with its basement membrane facing downwards. CG, loaded on the reverse side of Sinskey hook or Weck-Cel sponge, is instilled on this epithelium-melt site complex and withdrawn immediately following which a bandage contact lens is placed on the corneal surface. In our series of patients with nine eyes where EPI-gluing was undertaken, all eyes reported a healed corneal scar with spontaneously dislodged glue and no underlying vascularization at 3-months follow-up. EPI-gluing is an inexpensive and host-friendly technique for the treatment of small noninfectious corneal perforations particularly with iris tissue prolapse.