title: One hundred-year-old human corneal and transplanted corneal graft endothelium.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate and analyse one hundred-year-old endothelial cells of human transplanted corneal grafts and compare them with intact endothelium of unoperated eyes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Specular microscopy was performed on seven individuals (14 eyes) aged >100 years and on seven transplanted corneas with endothelial cells of at least 100 years old. All keratoplasties were performed by the same surgeon (PR) 25-35 years before the time of examination. As controls, 14 unoperated healthy individuals (26 eyes) of 90-100 years, 12 individuals (24 eyes) of 48-52 years, 12 students (24 eyes) of 19-24 years and 11 children (22 eyes) from 10 to 14 years of age were photographed and analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean cell density in the oldest age group, over 100 years of age (average 102 years), was very good 2365 cells/mm(2) . The mean cell density in the transplanted corneas, the endothelial cells of which were over 100 years old (mean 106 years), was 923 cells/mm(2) (range 585-1800 cells/mm(2) ).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Corneal endothelial cells may remain viable and capable to perform their function over 100 years. Donor corneas up to 70-75 years of age can be approved for transplantation, provided that the endothelial cells have been thoroughly evaluated with vital staining before the operation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ruusuvaara
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
authors.forename: Eija
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vesti
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koskela
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Kirsi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Setälä
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002452:Cell Count; D002470:Cell Survival; D002648:Child; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014019:Tissue Donors; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: corneal graft survival; endothelial photography; long-term corneal graft follow-up; old corneal endothelial cells