Improvement of Human Corneal Endothelium in Culture after Prolonged Hypothermic Storage

Abstract

Organ culture was effective in improving corneal endothelium when the hypothermic storage was prolonged to the upper temporal limit for this procedure (7-10 days). These results may encourage the possibility of an eye bank to allocate the available cornea pool, thus decreasing the risk of discarding precious material.

Changes in donor corneal lenticule thickness after Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with organ-cultured corneas

“…The modern hypothermic storage systems, such as the modified M-K medium, K-sol (Ciclo Inc., Huntingdon, West Virginia, USA) or Optisol claim a storage period of 14–16 days 14 15. To reduce the risk of primary graft failure, the recommended storage periods are kept far below the claimed maxima (up to 7–10 days for Optisol) 16. In addition, the time interval between death of the donor and storage of the cornea (so-called post mortem time) is generally kept within 12 h or shorter 14…”

Influence of temporary hypothermia on corneal endothelial cell density during organ culture preservation

“…Camposampiero et al investigated the endothelial cell density of corneas stored for 6.1±1.9 days in Optisol-GS prior to organ culture, and compared those to corneas following their standard organ culture protocol with storage in culture medium direct after excision from the enucleated globe at 31°C [4]. No increased endothelial cell loss was detected in the group undergoing prolonged hypothermic storage prior to organ culture.…”

Precise Temperature Control of Donor Cornea Tissue With Reusable Passive Thermal Container

“…3 Although the past 30 years have shown a shift toward physiologic temperature storage or culture storage, hypothermic storage is better for eye banking initiatives and can even be followed by culture with success. 16 Donor tissue temperature storage conditions did not influence the incidence of graft failure in a study by Vail et al 17 A comprehensive study by York et al 2 examined the PCWI method of storage for shipment. It was determined that direct contact with wet ice offered the best cooling; however, there was an associated risk of frozen tissue media with direct wet ice contact.…”