This Article  • Full text  • PDF  • Reply to article  • Send to a friend  • Save in My Folder  • Save to citation manager  • Permissions  Citing Articles  • Citing articles on ISI (5)  • Contact me when this article is cited  Related Content  • Similar articles in this journal  Topic Collections  • Medical Education  • Cataracts/ Lens  • Vitreoretinal Surgery  • Alert me on articles by topic

Thomas D. Lenart, MD, PhD; Colin A. McCannel, MD; Keith H. Baratz, MD; Dennis M. Robertson, MD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2003;121:16-19.

Objective  To describe the use of a polymethylmethacrylate contact lens as an artificial cornea to enhance visualization for practice surgery using cadaver eyes.

Design  The opaque cornea of a cadaver eye is removed by trephination. Cyanoacrylate glue is used to secure a large-diameter polymethylmethacrylate contact lens to the corneal rim.

Results  Excellent visualization for practice surgery is achieved with this technique. The adhesion of the contact lens to the cadaver eye maintains the anterior chamber sufficiently to perform phacoemulsification cataract extraction or pars plana vitrectomy.

Conclusions  This technique improves visualization of the intraocular structures during practice surgery, thereby enhancing the ability of the learning surgeon to perform and practice delicate surgical maneuvers. The procedure is simple, effective, and inexpensive.

From the Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dr Lenart is now with Childrens Eye Doctors, Redmond, Wash.