The Changes of Corneal Endothelium in Rabbit according to Storage Temperature and Enucleation Time

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To evaluate corneal endothelial cell changes in Optisol-GS(R) according to enucleation time at different storage temperatures after death. METHODS: Eight rabbit cadavers (16 eyes) were stored at -3 degrees C and room temperature, and enucleation was performed 10 and 24 hours postmortem. The samples were divided into four groups (Group 1 was -3 degrees C, 10 hours, Group 2 was room temperature, 10 hours, Group 3 was -3 degrees C, 24 hours, and Group 4 was room temperature, 24 hours). The corneas were stored in Optisol-GS(R) at 4 degrees C, and we measured corneal endothelial cell density and thickness by specular microscopy on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 of preservation. RESULTS: The densities and thicknesses of corneal endothelial cells of each of the four groups after enucleation showed no significant difference. Corneal endothelial cell density acceptable for penetrating keratoplasty (CD>2500 cells/mm2) was found in groups 1 and 3 until 14 days, in group 2 until 10 days, and in group 4 until 7 days. In particular, eyes stored at -3 degrees C had less corneal endothelial cell loss than at room temperature after 7 days and 14 days (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that when rabbit cadavers were stored at -3 degrees C, corneas could be preserved in Optisol-GS(R) for 14 days, even if the eyeballs from which they were prepared were extracted within 24 hours postmortem. Within 24 hours postmortem, the storing temperature of the cadavers was found to be more important than the enucleation time for the survival of corneal endothelial cells.