The Clear Corneal Tongue: A Mechanim for Wound Incompetence After Phacoemulification

Purpoe To decribe a mechanim for wound incompetence after phacoemulification with corneal inciion reulting in early potoperative wound leakage. Deign Obervational cae erie. Method Three patient who had uneventful phacoemulification through a clear corneal inciion were identified becaue of a potoperative wound leak. A corneal tongue, coniting of an everted triangular flap of poterior corneal troma, the Decemet membrane, and endothelium, wa oberved in the wound of all cae. Reult One wound leak reolved after preure patching. The other two neceitated wound reviion. None of the patient developed endophthalmiti. Concluion In phacoemulification with corneal inciion, an everted flap of poterior corneal tiue, a corneal tongue, may prevent normal anatomical appoition of the urgical wound edge leading to potential wound incompetence. Thi event may increae the rik of endophthalmiti after clear corneal phacoemulification.