Abstract
Purpose: :
To compare the effect of storing Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) tissue with and without the anterior corneal lamella using the organ culture (normothermic) corneal storage system.
Methods: :
After microkeratome-assisted excision of anterior corneal lamella, 5 pairs of corneas (10 eyes) were stored either with the anterior corneal lamella left on the stroma (5 eyes) or with anterior corneal lamella off the stroma (5 eyes) in organ culture medium. Three pairs (6 matched corneas) were left in the transport medium for 24 hours prior to the microkeratome cut. Two pairs (4 matched corneas) were left in the transport medium for 48 hours prior to the microkeratome cut. All cuts were performed using a 300 (4 eyes) or 350 (6 eyes) microns head. A vital dye assay was used to identify devitalized and necrotic endothelial cells with alizarin red S and trypan blue. (Table)
Results: :
In all matched cases there was no difference between cap-on and cap-off corneas. There was no evidence for endothelial cell loss, trypan blue stained cells beyond that normally seen on acceptable transplantable corneas or any lifting of the Descemet membrane. (Figure 1a, 1b)
Conclusions: :
This study shows that there is no difference between the quality of the donor endothelium with the anterior corneal lamella on or off when the donor cornea is stored using the organ culture system of corneal storage.
Keywords: cornea: endothelium • cornea: storage • cornea: basic science