ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: We investigated the viability, the changes of thickness, and morphological changes of corneas stored in the Korean corneal storage medium (CS005) by comparing with those of corneas stored in Optisol GS (Chiron Co., Irvine, CA, USA). METHODS: Cat corneas preserved in the CS005 and Optisol GS were stored for up to 14 days at 4degrees C. The endothelial viability, ultrastructure, and the change of thickness were assessed by microscopy. In addition, the corneas preserved for 3 and 5 days were transplanted to cats and, after 3 months, the endothelial changes of transplanted corneas were evaluated using the scanning electron microscopy. RESULTS: Corneas preserved in CS005 or Optisol-GS showed the similar endothelial viability and cell density as the time of preservation. Cornea stored in both medium showed no significant difference in the change of corneal thickness by 7 days although the corneas stored in CS005 were slightly thicker by 14 days than tissues stored in Optisol-GS (193.6% vs. 164.7%, respectively). Ultrastructural examination of the corneas preserved in both medium showed the cytoplasmic vacuoles, nuclear changes, and edema with increasing the storage time. Transplanted corneas showed the similar structural changes in endothelial cell stored in CS005 or Optisol-GS. CONCLUSIONS: The endothelial viability and changes of corneas preserved in Korean corneal storage medium were similar to that in Optisol-GS. Therefore, this study suggests that corneal tissue can be safely stored in the Korean corneal storage medium, considering that donor corneas were generally used within 7 days after preservation.