Anterior Chamber OCT Adaptor to Assess Intact and Precut Eye Bank Corneal Buttons for PK and DSAEK

Abstract

Purpose: : To assess the morphology and measure the state of hydration of donor corneas cut in the Eye Bank for PK and DSEAK.

Methods: : A device consisting of a holder accepting standard glass and plastic EBE vials, an electronic position detector and a fixation mechanism was designed to plug into a commercially available anterior chamber 1310 nm optical coherence tomography (OCT) system (Visante, Carl Zeiss Meditech, Dublin, CA). The adaptor does not require modification of the OCT and can be plugged in/removed in seconds without compromising sterility of the tissues. Animal and human donor corneas were used to test the system and assess swelling rate in Eusol-C (Abeamed Inc, Miami, FL). Changes in the central and peripheral (1.5mm from center) thickness of 2 fresh cynomolgus monkey corneas (~2hrs PMT) was assessed at 7 time points over a period of 3 weeks with the tissues stored at 4C in Eusol-C between measurements. At each time points 6 scans of each cornea was taken producing low and high resolution crossection images in addition to pachymetry maps.

Results: : The device allows quantitative data acquisition and storage of donor corneal thickness and curvature changes over time. In the 2 monkey corneas, swelling rate was ~13% over the first day and ~6% over the second day. At Day 4 the epithelium started to detach and at Day 20, a slight increase in swelling occurred in the periphery but not centrally. The device and OCT is being used to compare existing preservation solutions and as a tool in the synthesis of new solutions designed to reduce the swelling rate. The system is now in clinical use at the Florida Lions Eye Bank to assess donor intact and precut corneal button prior transplantation.

Keywords: imaging methods (CT, FA, ICG, MRI, OCT, RTA, SLO, ultrasound) • cornea: storage • transplantation