Corneal perforation is an ophthalmic emergency, and corneal gluing can improve outcomes and reduce the need for tectonic keratoplasty [1, 2]. It is challenging to practice because corneal perforation presents acutely. There is no non-mammalian simulation model for corneal gluing. Simulation practice can be used as an adjunct to the traditional surgical apprenticeship model [3]. We describe a novel simulation model for corneal gluing practice.

This simulation model can teach how to apply the glue on a disc to seal a leaking perforation without using excess glue. It is more useful than simulation models for corneal gluing using human or animal eyes, which may have had excessive manipulation or mechanical trauma and prolonged storage after retrieval. Issues with fidelity to human tissue will apply with the use of animal eyes and both require a dedicated space with sterilization and disposal facilities. This model recreates what occurs in an actual corneal perforation: the aqueous flowing out of the defect site without additional manipulation, that other models cannot do (Supplementary Video) [4].

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