ABSTRACT
Purpose: To compare the structural integrity and functional status of the donor corneas stored in Cornisol and Optisol-GS. Methods: Fifteen optical grade corneal donor buttons (6 pairs; 3 individual) obtained from Rotary Aravind International Eye Bank were used for the study. The left eye of the paired sample was preserved in Cornisol and the right in Optisol-GS. The three individual buttons were used for the baseline data. The corneas were assessed with slit lamp and specular microscope before and after storage time (7, 10, or 14 days). They were then immunostained for markers of structural integrity (ZO-1, Phalloidin) and functionality (Na+/K+ ATPase). The images were acquired using confocal microscope and analyzed using ImageJ software. Results: There was no difference in the clinical evaluation of the corneal layers between the two media. No marked variation was observed in the immunostaining data with reference to the storage period. Intact cellular integrity was identified in 91% (51%, 98%) [Median (min, max)] of cells in Cornisol and 94% (38%, 98%) cells in Optisol based on ZO-1 staining, comparable to the baseline data [87% (76%, 97%)]. Stress fibers were detected in 42.5% (1%, 88%) cells in Cornisol stored corneas and in 55% (11%, 94%) in Optisol when stained for actin cytoskeleton, which correlated with the presence of epithelial defect before storage and vacuolated endothelial cells after storage. No difference was observed between the two media based on the staining pattern for Na+/K+ ATPase. Conclusion: Cornisol and Optisol-GS are equivalent in maintaining the structural integrity and functionality of the donor corneas.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of transfer of donor corneal tissue from McCarey朘aufmann (MK) medium to Optisol-GS on corneal endothelium. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized comparative study. Twenty paired human donor corneal tissues of optical quality were retrieved. One tissue of the pair was preserved in Optisol-GS preservative medium (Group A) and other tissue of the pair in MK medium (Group B) at the time of corneoscleral disc excision. Within 12 h of retrieval, each cornea was evaluated using slit-lamp biomicroscopic examination and specular microscopic analysis. Group B corneas were transferred to Optisol-GS medium within 48� h of retrieval. Specular analysis of the paired corneas was repeated 3 h after transferring to Optisol-GS. On day 7 of storage, specular analysis of both the tissues was repeated. Results: The average age of the donor at the time of death was 29 years (16� years). The reduction in endothelial cell count, from baseline, in Groups A and B was 5.5% and 5.8% (P = 0.938) on the 3rd day and 8.2% and 12.6% (P = 0.025) on the 7th day, respectively, postretrieval. The coefficient of variation (CV) increased by 36% (P = 0.021) and hexagonality reduced by 19% (P = 0.007) on day 7. All tissues retained an endothelial cell density higher than the accepted critical level for penetrating keratoplasty. Conclusion: Significant endothelial cell loss was noted while transferring tissues from one medium to another, necessitating the need for reevaluation of transferred tissues before utilization.
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.