Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To compare the functionality of corneal grafts preserved in two different media(M-K medium at 4ºC and MEM at 31ºC) in patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty for keratoconus) after a follow-up period of 14 years. Methods: Eighteen paired human corneas, preserved in M-K medium and in MEM, were transplanted in patients with keratoconus between 1986 and 1988. After a follow-up period of 14 years, visual acuity, central corneal thickness, and endothelial cell density were assessed and compared in both groups. These recent measurements were also compared to the 1- to 2- year follow-up data I. Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test was used for statistical analysis Results: Mean follow-up period was 166 7.7 months. No allograft reactions were documented. Conclusions: Except corneal thickness, no significant differences were found between grafts preserved in M-K medium compared to MEM. Osmotic changes related to dextran, added to MEM, is probably the cause of the difference in corneal thickness between the groups. We assessed a high ongoing endothelial cell loss of 6 % per year throughout the observation period, which was higher than the physiological endothelial loss in normal corneas (0.6 % per year).II I Arch Ophthalmol.1992;110:203-205 II Cornea 2001;20(6):560-569<br
Keywords: 369 cornea: clinical science • 371 cornea: endothelium • 353 clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: outcomes/complications