Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: The biomechanical properties of the cornea depend on the tissue hydration. The purpose was to assess the effects of immersion solutions with different Dextran concentrations on the hydration of donor corneal tissue strips used for biomechanical studies. Methods: Corneal buttons were removed from Eye-Bank eyes after corneal thickness was brought back to normal values by immersing the eyes in a 25 % Dextran solution for 24 hours. A custom-made jig was used to cut the buttons into 2x6mm strips. The strips were immediately immersed in different concentrations of Dextran solutions (25, 22.5 and 20%) at 35ºC. The thickness of the immersed strip was measured every 5 min for one hour using an optical comparator (Topcon, Japan) modified for tissue shadowphotogrammetry. Results: The mean final measured thickness for nine corneal strips after one hour in in 25%, 22.5% and 20% Dextran solution was 508(±38), 563(±56) and 592 (±33) µm respectively. Average swelling in the 25, 22.5 and 20% Dextran solutions, was 1.065 (±0.034), 1.202 (±0.075) and 1.241(±0.069) times the initial thickness of each corneal strip respectively. Conclusions: These results indicate that 25% Dextran solution maintains corneal tissue strips at normal hydration. Supported in part by the Whitaker Foundation; Henri and Flore Lesieur Foundation; Florida Lions Eye Bank; and Research to Prevent Blindness, New York, NY.
Keywords: cornea: basic science • refractive surgery: other technologies