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Original Article

Role of Temporary Tarsorrhaphy Using Super
Glue in the Management of Corneal Disorders

Muhammad Moin, Irfan Qayyum, Anwar Ul-Haq Ahmad, Mumtaz Hussain

Pak J Ophthalmol 2009, Vol. 25 No. 3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
See end of article for
authors affiliations

… ………………………

Correspondence to:
Mohammad Moin
Department of Ophthalmology
Mayo Hospital
Lahore

Received for publication
January’ 2009
… ………………………

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of temporary tarsorrhaphy using
super glue in the management of corneal disorders.
Material and Methods: A retrospective chart review of 46 consecutive patients
who underwent superglue tarsorrhaphy from June 1997 to June 1998 was
performed. All patients were managed at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Mayo
hospital, Lahore. This study included patients with painful non healing corneal
ulcers, exposure keratopathy (secondary to moderate proptosis), dry eyes (to
reduce surface area of evaporation) and post-operative patients with conjunctival
flaps ± scleral grafts (to help take up of the graft). Patients with corneal
perforations, endopthalmitis or panophthalmitis were excluded from the study.
Temporary tarsorrhaphy was done using super glue technique in which the
upper eyelashes were glued to the lower lid skin. The degree of lid closure was
calculated according to the pre-existing corneal pathology. Patients were
followed up on a weekly basis for one month to check for reduction of pain,
improvement of corneal pathology and duration of tarsorrhaphy.
Results: There were 50 eyes of 46 patients included in the study who underwent
super glue tarsorrhaphy for various corneal pathologies. There were 36 males
and 10 female patients with an average age of 40 years (range 10-60 yrs). Thirty
two eyes had keratitis (fungal, bacterial, disciform, dendritic), 5 had a persistent
epithelial defect, 4 had exposure keratopathy secondary to moderate proptosis,
5 had conjunctival flap alone or combined with a scleral graft and 4 had dry eyes.
In cases of keratitis the tarsorrhaphy remained intact for 2-3 weeks, in patients
with proptosis it remained intact for 2 weeks and in cases of dry eyes and
conjunctival graft it remained intact for 2-3 weeks. The most common
complication seen in the majority of patients was loss of a few lashes after
spontaneous opening of the tarsorrhaphy in 2-3 weeks time. Three patients
required early opening of the tarsorrhaphy which was done by cutting the
eyelashes. No patient had spillage of the glue onto the cornea.
Conclusion: Temporary tarsorrhaphy using super glue technique is a quick,
painless and effective outdoor procedure in providing temporary relief in the
management of different keratopathies, dry eyes and exposure keratopathy.

arsorrhaphy is the fusion of upper and lower
eyelid margins. It is one of the safest and most
effective procedures for healing the corneal

lesions which are usually difficult to treat1. It can also
be performed to protect the cornea from exposure
caused by inadequate eyelid coverage, as may occur in
Graves’s disease or facial nerve dysfunction such as in
Bells palsy2. It can also be used to aid in healing of

indolent corneal ulceration sometimes seen with tear
film deficiency, or 5th nerve dysfunction (neurotrophic
lesion).

Tarsorrhaphy may be temporary or permanent.
Temporary can be done with sutures3; while in
permanent raw tarsal edges are created to form a
lasting adhesion. It may be total or partial, depending

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on whether only a portion of the palpebral fissure is
occluded. Finally, they are classified as lateral, medial
or central, according to the location on the eyelid. We
analyzed the results of temporary tarsorrhaphy by
using superglue (Cyanoacrylate).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective chart review of 46 consecutive patients
who underwent superglue tarsorrhaphy from June
1997 to June 1998 was performed. All patients were
managed at the Institute of Ophthalmology, Mayo
hospital, Lahore. Temporary tarsorrhaphy was done
using super glue technique. This study included
patients with painful non healing corneal ulcers,
exposure keratopathy (secondary to moderate
proptosis), dry eyes (to reduce surface area of
evaporation) and post-operative patients with
conjunctival flaps ± sclera graft (to help take up of the
graft). Patients with corneal perforations,
endopthalmitis or panophthalmitis were excluded
from the study.

A detailed history was taken to document the
cause and severity of corneal pathology in each case.
Pre-operative examination included best corrected
visual acuity (BCVA), a detailed corneal examination
for epithelial defect, ulcer or exposure keratopathy,
anterior segment examination for hypopyon and
measurement of proptosis in selected cases. Patients
were followed up on a weekly basis for one month.
Post-operative data included grading of pain, changes
in corneal pathology (improvement of epithelial
defect, ulcer, exposure keratopathy or dry eyes),
duration of superglue tarsorrhaphy and document-
tation of any complications. Pain at presentation was
taken as a baseline and following the procedure it was
graded as worse, same or improved.

The procedure included instillation of topical
proparacaine (Alcaine, Alcon Labs Tx) in the
conjunctival sac. This was followed by meticulous
drying of the skin and application of super glue
(cyanoacrylate) on the lower lid skin beneath the
eyelashes. The patient was warned about a feeling of
warmth on application of the super glue. Then the
patient was asked to close his eyelids tightly. This
resulted in adhesion of the eyelashes to the lower lid
skin producing an effective tarsorrhaphy. If there was
insufficient adhesion of the lashes it could be re-
enforced with more superglue. The degree of lid
closure was calculated according to the corneal
pathology.

RESULTS
There were 50 eyes of 46 patients included in the study
who underwent super glue tarsorrhaphy for various
corneal pathologies. There were 36 males and 10
female patients with an average age of 40 years (range
10-60 yrs). Forty two patients underwent unilateral
tarsorrhaphy while 4 patients had bilateral
tarsorrhaphy. Bilateral tarsorrhaphy was done in 2
patients with dry eye and 2 patients with bilateral
proptosis. The tarsorrhaphy remained stable for at
least 2-3 weeks with spontaneous opening of the lids
afterwards.

Out of 50 eyes 32 had infective keratitis (Fig. 1, 2),
5 had a persistent epithelial defect, 4 had exposure
keratopathy secondary to moderate proptosis, 5 had
conjunctival flap alone or combined with a scleral
graft and 4 had dry eyes. Out of the 32 eyes having
infective keratitis 10 had fungal keratitis, 15 had
bacterial keratitis, 4 had disciform keratitis and 3 had
dendritic keratitis. In cases of infective keratitis the
tarsorrhaphy was done only after control of active
stage of the keratitis. The aim of the treatment was to
help in the healing phase of the keratitis. Patients with
persistent epithelial defect underwent tarsorrhaphy
after having the epithelial defect for at least 5 days.
Proptosis was bilateral in 2 cases (thyroid eye disease)
while 2 patients had unilateral proptosis (one with
orbital inflammatory disease and one post orbitotomy
patient). Tarsorrhaphy done in patients with thyroid
eye disease was a precursor to permanent procedure
to check for its efficacy. It was done in orbital
inflammatory disease (OID) and post orbitotomy
patients to resolve inferior conjunctival prolapse
associated with chemosis (Fig. 3, 4, 5). There were 3
cases of conjunctival flaps done for descematoceles
and 2 cases of conjunctitval flaps with scleral grafts for
perforated corneal ulcers which were done as a last
resort to save the shape of the eyeball until a donor
cornea was available (Fig. 6, 7). Tarsorrhaphy was
done along with the conjunctival procedure to
improve its success. The 2 patients with dry eyes
underwent this temporary procedure bilaterally to
check if decreasing the palpebral fissure with
permanent tarsorrhaphy would be of any help to these
patients (Fig. 8, 9). In cases of keratitis the
tarsorrhaphy remained intact for 2-3 weeks, in patients
with proptosis it remained intact for 2 weeks and in
cases of dry eyes and conjunctival graft it remained
intact for 2-3 weeks.

Eighty four percent of the eyes had relief of pain
after the tarsorrhaphy. However, 2 patients had

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aggravation of pain after the tarsorrhaphy (patients
with keratitis) and 5 patients did not feel any
difference after the tarsorrhaphy (4 patients with
keratitis and 1 patient with proptosis). There was
aggravation of pain in 2 patients with keratitis because
the tarsorrhaphy had been done before achieving
favorable response to topical medications in order to
prevent corneal perforation in very large corneal
ulcers with marked central thinning. In these cases the
tarsorrhaphy was opened early by cutting the matted
eyelashes at the base and treatment changed
accordingly.

The most common complication seen in the
majority of the patients was loss of a few lashes after
spontaneous opening of the tarsorrhaphy in 2-3 weeks
time. Three patients required early opening of
tarsorrhaphy which was done by cutting the
eyelashes. No patient had spillage of the glue onto the
cornea.

DISCUSSION
Tarsorrhaphy is a procedure in which the eyelids are
fused together to narrow the palpebral fissure. It is one
of the safest and most effective procedures for healing
persistent epithelial defects or corneal ulceration.
Tarsorrhaphy is a more effective therapy than
pressure patching in most cases, perhaps because of
better oxygen delivery to the ocular surface.

Tarsorrhaphy may be temporary or permanent.
Temporary can be done with sutures3; while in
permanent raw tarsal edges are created to form a
lasting adhesion. They may be total or partial,
depending on whether only a portion of the palpebral
fissure is occluded. Finally, they are classified lateral,
medial or central, according to the position in the
palpebral fissure. A lateral tarsorrhaphy is
occasionally used to aid in lid closure and corneal
coverage in patients who have significant exposure
keratitis due to lagophthalmos caused by thyroid
ophthalmopathy or any orbital tumour. This is usually
performed in conjunction with orbital decompression
or lid retraction surgery. A temporary tarsorrhaphy
may be performed after these procedures when there
continues to be significant symptoms or signs of
corneal exposure despite adequate decompression or
repair of lid retraction. It is occasionally used as a
procedure to mask mild exophthalmos, but it usually
stretches because of lid retraction pulling on the
adhesions, which is not cosmetically acceptable.
Indications of tarsorrhaphy include facial nerve palsy,

non healing corneal ulcer, lagophthalmos, dry eye
syndrome, keratitis, kerato-conjuctivitis, proptosis,
chemical burn, thyroid ophthalmopathy, impending
perforation secondary to trauma, persistent epithelial
defect and autoimmune (Steven Johnson Syndrome,
Mooren's ulcer)4. Botulinum toxin is also used to
induce ptosis in some cases. But botulinum toxin may
not be available universally because of constraints of
cost and expertise. Moreover, the induced ptosis is
variable in its onset and duration, and there are risks
associated with the injection.

The tarsorrhaphy complications are usually failure
of the lid adhesion or a stretching of the lid adhesion.
Misdirection of the lashes can occur after a
tarsorrhaphy. There are seldom major complications
such as hemorrhage or infection. All the forms of
surgical tarsorrhaphy are time consuming, and there
may be a risk of permanent scarring to the eyelids
from surgery. Tarsorrhaphy using superglue
technique is another good alternative method for
temporary tarsorrhaphy5,6,7.

Advantages of tarsorrhaphy with superglue are
that it is easily available, non toxic to skin, can be done
in the outpatient clinic, painless, and very cheap as no
surgical materials are used. Most frequent
complication is temporary loss of eye lashes.
Temporary tarsorrhaphy using superglue usually lasts
for weeks and can easily be repeated when necessary.
With regard to safety, a previous case series has
suggested that there is no long-term morbidity from
superglue contact with the eye. The technique is not a
replacement for surgical tarsorrhaphy; however, it
may be considered as an alternative in certain
situations. First, the technique can be used to provide
short-term corneal protection prior to recovery of
facial nerve palsy. Second, it may serve as a temporary
measure for exposure keratopathy while awaiting
more definitive treatment. Third, it is of value in
patients who refuse surgical intervention.

Cyanoacrylate was discovered by Harry Coover at
Eastman Kodak during World War II when searching
for a way to make plastic gun-sight lenses. It did not
solve this problem, since it stuck to all the apparatus
used to handle it. It was first marketed for industrial
and domestic use in February 1955 as a product called
"Flash Glue" which is still available today and now
owned by Gary Shipko, president of Super Glue
International, a United States based firm. It was
patented in 1956 and developed into Eastman 910
adhesive in 1958. Cyanoacrylates are now a family of
adhesives based on similar chemistry.

142

Fig. 1: Fungal keratitits

Fig. 2: After superglue tarsorrhaphy

Fig. 3: Proptosis with chemosis (old)

Fig. 4: After superglue tarsorrhaphy

Fig. 5: After opening of tarsorrhaphy

Fig. 6:Conjunctival flap + scleral graft

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Fig. 7: After superglue tarsorrhaphy

Fig. 8: Severe dry eyes post SJ syndrome

Fig. 9: After bilateral tarsorrhaphy

Table 1:

Disease No. of Eyes

Infective Keratitis (Fungal, Bacterial
Disciform, Dendritic)

Persistent epithelial Defect 5

Exposure keratopathy due to proptosis 4

Conjunctival Flap ± sclera graft 5

Dry Eyes (Steven Johnson syndrome) 4

Table 2:

Disease Duration of
Tarsorrhaphy

Repeat
Tarsorrhaphy

Infective Keratitis 2-3 wks 2 cases

Exposure
keratopathy due to
proptosis

2 wks None

Conjunctival Flap ±
sclera graft

2-3 wks None

Dry Eyes (Steven
Johnson syndrome)

2-3 wks None

Infective Keratitis 2-3 wks 2 cases

Table 3:

Disease > Pain <>pain < Pain

Keratitis(Fungal, Bacterial,
Disciform, Dendritic)

2 4 26

Epithelial Defect 5

Exposure keratopathy due to
proptosis

1 3

Conjunctival flap ± sclera graft 5

Dry Eyes (Steven Johnson
syndrome)

Total 2 5 43

The use of cyanoacrylate glues in medicine was

considered fairly early on. Eastman Kodak and
Ethicon began studying whether the glues could be
used to hold human tissue together after surgery. In
1964, Eastman submitted an application to use
cyanoacrylate glues to seal wounds to the United
States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Soon

144

afterwards in 1966, cyanoacrylates were tested on-site
in Vietnam by a specially trained surgical team, with
impressive results. The compound demonstrated an
excellent capacity to stop bleeding, and during the
Vietnam War, disposable cyanoacrylate sprays were
developed for use in the battlefield.

The original Eastman formula was not FDA
approved for medical use, however, because of a
tendency to cause skin irritation and to generate heat.
In 1998 the FDA approved 2-octyl cyanoacrylate for
use in closing wounds and surgical incisions. Closure
Medical has developed medical cyanoacrylates such as
Derma bond, Soothe-N-Seal and Band-Aid Liquid
Adhesive Bandage. Since we did not have an open
wound there was no skin irritation seen with
cyanoacrylate in our study.

In its liquid form, cyanoacrylate consists of
monomers of cyanoacrylate molecules. Methyl-2-
cyanoacrylate (CH2=C(CN)COOCH3 or C5H5NO2) has
a molecular weight equal to 111.1, a flashpoint of 79
°C, and 1.1 times the density of water. Ethyl-2-cyano-
acrylate (C6H7NO2) has a molecular weight equal to
125 and a flashpoint of >75°C. To facilitate easy
handling, adhesives made with cyanoacrylate are
usually formulated so that the glue is more viscous
and gel-like.

Generally, cyanoacrylate is an acrylic resin which
rapidly polymerizes in the presence of water
(specifically hydroxide ions), forming long, strong
chains, joining the bonded surfaces together. Because
the presence of moisture causes the glue to set,
exposure to moisture in the air can cause a tube or
bottle of glue to become unusable over time. To
prevent an opened container of glue from setting
before use, it must be stored in an airtight jar or bottle
with a package of silica gel. 2-octyl cyanoacrylate can
also be used for small skin cuts/lid tears8, small
corneal tears, small corneal perforations, 360o fornix
formation.

CONCLUSION
Temporary tarsorrhaphy using super glue technique is
a quick and effective outdoor procedure. It is a very

effective and safe procedure in the management of
non-healing epithelial defects and other surface
problems, with a very high success rate and only
minor complications.

Author’s affiliation
Dr. Muhammad Moin
Associate Professor
Department of Ophthalmology
Mayo Hospital
Lahore
Dr. Irfan Qayyum
Department of Ophthalmology
King Edward Medical University
Mayo Hospital
Lahore
Dr. Anwar Ul-Haq Ahmad
Department of Ophthalmology
King Edward Medical University
Mayo Hospital
Lahore
Prof. Mumtaz Hussain
Department of Ophthalmology
Mayo Hospital
Lahore

REFERENCE
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experience from a cornea practice. Cornea. 2001; 20: 787-91.
2. Bergeron CM, Moe KS. The evaluation and treatment of upper

eyelid paralysis. Facial Plast Surg. 2008; 24: 220-30.
3. McInnes AW, Burroughs JR, Anderson RL. Temporary suture

tarsorrhaphy. Am J Ophthalmol. 2006; 142: 344-6.
4. Tzelikis PF, Diniz CM, Tanure MA et al. Tarsorrhaphy:

applications in a Cornea Service. Arq Bras Oftalmol. 2005; 68:
103-7.

5. Ehrenhaus M, D'Arienzo P. Improved technique for
temporary tarsorrhaphy with a new cyanoacrylate gel. Arch
Ophthalmol. 2003; 121: 1336-7.

6. Leahey AB, Gottsch JD, Stark WJ. Clinical experience with N-
butyl cyanoacrylate (Nexacryl) tissue adhesive. Ophthal-
mology. 1993; 100: 173-80.

7. Donnenfeld ED, Perry HD, Nelson DB. Cyanoacrylate
temporary tarsorrhaphy in the management of corneal
epithelial defects. Ophthalmic Surg. 1991; 22: 591-3.

8. Singer AJ, Quinn JV, Hollander JE. The cyanoacrylate topical
skin adhesives. Am J Emerg Med. 2008; 26: 490-6.

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Fig 1. Fungal keratitits Fig 2. After superglue tarsorrhaphy

Fig 3. Proptosis with chemosis (OID) Fig 4. After superglue tarsorrhaphy

Fig 5. After opening of tarsorrhaphy

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Fig 6. Conjunctival flap + scleral graft Fig 7. After superglue tarsorrhaphy

Fig 8. Severe dry eyes post SJ syndrome Fig 9. After bilateral tarsorrhaphy