Influence of Endothelial Cell Loss During Preservation on Graft Survival in Imported Donor Cornea

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of preoperative endothelial cell loss on the outcome of keratoplasty for keratoconus in imported donor corneas. METHODS: Eighteen imported corneas used in keratoplasty for keratoconus patients were evaluated. Corneal endothelial cell density at the moment of preservation was obtained from the medical records and was measured immediately before the keratoplasty. Correlation of the endothelial cell loss count before and after keratoplasty was analyzed and postoperative endothelial cell loss count according to the range of preoperative endothelial cell loss was evaluated. RESULTS: Mean endothelial cell loss before and after keratoplasty was 258.94 +/- 128.58 cells/mm2 and 355.44 +/- 371.83 cells/mm2, respectively. There was a positive correlation between preoperative and postoperative endothelial cell loss count (r = 0.431, p = 0.074). The results showed statistically significant higher endothelial cell loss count after keratoplasty in the range above 250 cells/mm2 rather than below 250 cells/mm2 of preoperative endothelial cell loss count (p = 0.033). CONCLUSIONS: The preoperative decrease in endothelial cell density affected the endothelial cell loss after keratoplasty for keratoconus in imported donor corneas.