A randomized, double-masked clinical trial of Optisol-GS vs Chen Medium for human corneal storage.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether the clinical outcome of corneal transplantation performed with tissue stored in Chen Medium (CM; Chen Laboratories, Phoenix, Md) is superior to that of Optisol-GS (Chiron Ophthalmics, Irvine, Calif).


METHODS
Randomized, double-masked trial.


METHODS
Ninety patients undergoing corneal transplantation at a tertiary center.


METHODS
Donor cornea pairs were stored, one in CM and the other in Optisol-GS, transplanted, and followed up for 3 months.


METHODS
Endothelial cell loss (ECL) at 3 months. Secondary outcomes were thickness and epithelialization at days 1, 7, 30, and 90, as well as primary and secondary graft failure.


RESULTS
Mean percentages of ECL 3 months after surgery were similar for corneas stored in Optisol-GS and corneas stored in CM. The 95% confidence interval (CI) for the difference was -3.4% to 13.2%. Covariate-adjusted 95% CI was -6.1% to 9.1%. Pachymetry values were similar in the 2 treatment groups. Eighty-eight percent of the corneas stored in each medium achieved epithelialization of 75% to 100% of the surface area within 1 week after transplantation. No primary donor failures occurred in either group. One graft that was preserved in CM failed during the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical outcomes of corneal transplantation with tissue that was preserved in CM were similar to those of grafts preserved in Optisol-GS.
D000368:Aged; D000596:Amino Acids; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D003315:Cornea / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003911:Dextrans; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005839:Gentamicins; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006531:HEPES; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D011309:Preservation, Biological
D000596:Amino Acids; C433363:Chen medium; D045424:Complex Mixtures; D016895:Culture Media, Serum-Free; D003911:Dextrans; D005839:Gentamicins; D009930:Organic Chemicals; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; C075736:Optisol; D006531:HEPES