In situ OCT Characterization of Eye Bank Corneal Tissue Processed for Lamellar Transplantation

Abstract

Purpose:: To use OCT as a non-invasive tool for in situ characterization of eye-bank corneal tissue processed for lamellar corneal surgery.

Methods:: A validated experimental ultrahigh resolution OCT (UHR-OCT) was developed and used to analyze donor corneoscleral tissue that had been processed for lamellar transplantation. The eye bank corneoscleral tissues were processed into donor corneal buttons for lamellar transplantation using either hand dissection, a microkeratome, or a femtosecond laser. UHR-OCT was then used to characterize the processed tissue in situ while the viable corneal tissue was immersed in storage medium.

Results:: The UHR-OCT captured very high resolution images of the donor corneoscleral tissue in storage solution. The results of tissue processing for lamellar transplantation with each modality were clearly demonstrated by UHR-OCT. The lamellar surface characteristics of the cornea using UHR-OCT demonstrate more anatomic details compared to the images obtained from histology. The effects of the lamellar dissection technique can be easily visualized.

Conclusions:: The results of this feasibility study suggest that UHR-OCT is capable of providing a non-invasive, reproducible and real-time accurate analysis of corneal tissue. UHR-OCT is an effective tool capable of helping to better delineate the controversy surrounding the optimal approach to creating customized corneal tissue for transplantation. This is a powerful approach which will allow us to further evaluate the tissue response to different processing techniques for posterior lamellar keratoplasty. UHR-OCT analysis could be considered a valuable method for corneal tissue characterization for eye banks or centers creating customized corneal tissue for transplantation.

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