Fevikwik superglue not only joins but also heals: Fevikwik temporary tarsorraphy for exposure keratitis and prevention of corneal blindness

Session Details

Session Title: Orbis Free Paper session

Session Date/Time: Monday 15/09/2014 | 11:45-12:45

Paper Time: 12:33

Venue: Capital Suite 14 (Level 3)

First Author: : K.Venkata Ravi Kumar INDIA

Co Author(s): :    V. Varadaraj   P. Chandrasekhara Rao   C. Dilip Kumar        

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To report a novel method of temporary tarsorraphy for exposure keratitis using economical super Glue (fevikwik)

Setting:

Rotary Eye Hospital Vuyyuru India

Methods:

Twenty one consecutive patients with exposure keratitis due to various etiologies were recruited. Out this 13 patients were excluded (microbial keratits =6, one eyed =2, post neurosurgery=1, not willing=2) The rest of 8 patients received Fevikwik (super glue) to partially close the eye lids. Patients were followed up after 3 days, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 12 wks. The procedure was repeated to a maximum 3 times in 3 months. Success is defined as intactness of tarsorraphy on every follow-up, healing Progressive clearing of exposure keratitis , failure is defined as need for surgical intervention with in 3 months, progression of keratitis or appearance of new corneal lesions with in 3 months and loss of tarsorraphy effect even after 3 attempts.

Results:

Procedure was successful in 7 out of 8 patients i.e 87.5% ( 95% CI = 50.7 to 99.8 ). One patient who underwent neurosurgery which resulted in facial palsy needed surgical tarsorraphy after 1 month and was considered failure. The mean retention time was 24.5 days

Conclusions:

Fevikwik glue temporary tarsorraphy is simple, safe, effective, economical (costs less than $ 0.1 – Indian rupee Rs.5) , repeatable and sight saving OPD procedure. Also useful for intensive care physicians treating bed ridden patients in whom surgical interventions are difficult due other reasons. Further study with large sample size is required to authenticate the procedure. We also stress the need to look into the possibility of developing medical grade fevikwik glue to overcome certain problems in consultation with manufacturer if the larger study results are encouraging.

Financial Interest:

NONE