Viability of human corneal endothelium following Optisol-GS storage
T. L. Means, D. H. Geroski, A. Hadley, M. J. Lynn and H. F. Edelhauser
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., USA.
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate endothelial viability of human corneas stored in
glass vials and in viewing chambers (Alcon) for extended periods, and to
compare endothelial viability of Optisol-GS-stored corneas with corneas
excised from moist chamber-stored globes. METHODS: Endothelial viability
was assessed using two staining techniques. Endothelium from stored corneas
was stained with trypan blue combined with alizarin red S or stained with
calcein AM-ethidium homodimer. Both techniques were used to determine which
method is a more sensitive indicator of cytotoxic change. RESULTS: Corneas
stored 4 to 21 days in Optisol-GS had a rate (mean +/- SE) of endothelial
cell damage of 0.57% +/- 0.30% per day in vials and 0.69% +/- 0.27% in
chambers. After storage intervals from 4 to 21 days, the Optisol-GS
endothelium had an average decrease in viability of 9.5% to 16%. The
endothelium of moist chamber eyes had a 44% to 59% decrease in viability
after 2 to 5 days. After 24 hours, corneal endothelium of moist chamber
eyes had less than 15% decrease in viability. Optisol-GS corneas stored for
35 to 56 days had greater than 50% decrease in endothelial viability. After
67 days, 95% to 100% of endothelial viability was lost. CONCLUSIONS:
Corneas stored in Optisol-GS through 21 days at 4 degrees C maintain a high
percentage of viable endothelial cells. There was no significant difference
of endothelial viability between corneas stored in glass vials or in
viewing chambers (Alcon). A 50% loss of endothelial viability occurred in
moist chamber-stored corneas after 2 days and by 35 days in corneas stored
in Optisol-GS.
