The corneal epithelium after optisol-GS storage.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the epithelium of human corneas stored in Optisol-GS (Chiron Intraoptics, Irvine, CA) for extended periods (2-34 days). Human corneas stored in Optisol-GS (n = 64) were obtained from the Georgia Eye Bank. Corneal epithelial viability was assessed by using the Calcein-AM (Molecular Probes, Inc., Eugene, OR) ethidium homodimer stain, a fluorescent assay used to distinguish live from dead cells. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy was used to evaluate epithelial ultrastructure. The results showed that corneas stored up to 6 days in Optisol-GS had minimal damage of the epithelium. Calcein-AM ethidium homodimer staining showed 20-25% epithelial damage. Corneas stored 7-10 days had a further increase in epithelial damage (30-35%). Corneas stored for 11-15 days had marked increases in epithelial damage (40-50%), and corneas stored 16-34 days showed significant epithelial damage (60-70%). The data show that corneas stored in Optisol-GS are able to maintain the epithelium up to 6 days. A gradual decrease in epithelial viability and loss of epithelial cells occurs in corneas stored 6-10 days. Corneas stored for > 10 days have a marked loss of epithelial cells with extensive epithelial damage.
Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
T L
TL
Means
D H
DH
Geroski
N
N
L'Hernault
H E
HE
Grossniklaus
T
T
Kim
H F
HF
Edelhauser
D002470:Cell Survival; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015925:Cryopreservation; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003911:Dextrans; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005839:Gentamicins; D006801:Humans; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D009926:Organ Preservation; D013997:Time Factors
D045424:Complex Mixtures; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003911:Dextrans; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D005839:Gentamicins; C085925:calcein AM; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; C075736:Optisol