Viability of human corneal endothelium following Optisol-GS storage.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Means
T L
TL
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, Ga., USA.
Geroski
D H
DH
Hadley
A
A
Lynn
M J
MJ
Edelhauser
H F
HF
D000368:Aged; D002452:Cell Count; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000502:physiology; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003911:Dextrans; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology; D005839:Gentamicins; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D013307:Streptomycin; D014019:Tissue Donors; D014021:Tissue Preservation
D045424:Complex Mixtures; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003911:Dextrans; D005839:Gentamicins; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; C075736:Optisol; D013307:Streptomycin