Induction of cataracts of varying degrees of hardness in human eyes obtained postmortem for cataract surgeon training

PURPOSE: To report a method of inducing nuclear cataracts of varying degree of hardness using intralenticular injection of the Karnovsky solution. METHODS: Twelve postmortem human eyes were pre pared according to the Miyake-Apple posterior video technique. After performing capsulorhexis and hydrodissection/delineation, 0.2 mi of the Karnovsky solution was injected into the lens nucleus of the eyes. Manual extracapular cataract extraction techniques and various two-handed phacoemulsification maneuvers were then practiced at various time intervals after the injection. RESULTS: Uniform nuclear cataracts with varying degrees of hardness were successfully induced in all globes. The optimum dose of the Karnovsky solution and time for induction Of nuclear hardness of grade 3 (ideal for practicing two-handed phacoemulsification maneuvers) were 0.2 mi and 15 minutes, respectively. CONCLUSION: The Karnovsky solution can be successfully used for the induction of hard, uniform nuclear cataracts for learning/practicing extracapular cataract extraction and phacoemulsification. (Am J Ophthalmol 2000;129:557-558, (C) 2000 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.).