Purpose: I'o develop a laboraion mode of the vitrectomised, gas filled e>e that allows assessment of the gas tightness of closed sclerotomies. Methods: Vitrectomised pig eyes were inflated via the optic nerve h> a computer controlled syringe driver and the I OP wis monitored continuousl) with a pressure transducer. A sclerotomy was made and dilated to simulate the passage of 20 gauge instruments. The wound was then closed and the eye inflated until leakage of air occurred or the pressure reached 300 mm Hg. fives with sclerotomies that leaked were re-inflated from /ero pressure until leak ige occurred again. Standard sclerotomies in 20 eyes were closed with a conventions 2-bite cross stitch. The suture-less sclcrotorm (scierai tunnel) technique was tested in 12 eyes. Results: In the conventional group 17 e; es leaked air with lOP's between 30 and 246 mm Hg (mean 143. SD 9] ). On rc-infla ion leakage occurred at toller pressures: range 12-230 mm Hg (mean 123 SÜ98). Pair :d t test: P=0.026. The sutureless technique tailed to produce gas light closure. However, if scierai tunnel incisions were sutured th scterotomies remained gas light until 300 mm Hg.

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