Efficacy and safety of international donor sharing: a single-center, case-controlled study on corneal transplantation.
BACKGROUND
To overcome the shortage of donor corneas, we are currently using donor corneas supplied by foreign eye banks. This single-center, case-controlled study was conducted to show the efficacy and safety of corneal transplantation using corneas from foreign donors.


METHODS
A retrospective, case-controlled comparison of 118 corneal transplants using foreign donor corneas (foreign group) and domestic donor corneas (domestic group) was performed. The two groups were matched according to original disease, age, severity of preoperative neovascularization, and history of previous grafting. Clinical outcome and incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.


RESULTS
The foreign group had a longer preservation-to-operation time than the domestic group, reflecting the longer transportation time. However, the incidence of clear grafts and postoperative complications such as immunologic rejection, infection, and glaucoma was not significantly different between the two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Corneal transplantations using foreign donor corneas are as effective and safe as those using domestic donor corneas, despite the longer preservation time.
The Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College, 5-11-13 Sugano, Ichikawa-shi, Chiba 272-8513, Japan. jun@eyebank.or.jp
Jun
J
Shimazaki
Naoshi
N
Shinozaki
Shigeto
S
Shimmura
Edward J
EJ
Holland
Kazuo
K
Tsubota
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003315:Cornea; D016039:Corneal Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000592:standards*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005901:Glaucoma / Q000145:classification / Q000601:surgery; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007564:Japan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009926:Organ Preservation / Q000379:methods; D018579:Patient Selection; D044469:Racial Groups; D013997:Time Factors; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine