Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
A Simplified Technique for In situ Excision of Cornea and Evisceration of Retinal Tissue from Human Ocular Globe
Published on: June 12, 2012
A novel technique for harvesting keratolimbal allografts from corneoscleral buttons
1Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Francisco/Francis I. Proctor Foundation, San Francisco, California, USA. aldave@jsei.ucla.edu
Purpose:
To describe a method for obtaining partial-thickness keratolimbal allografts from corneoscleral buttons to be used in corneal limbal stem cell transplantation.
Design:
Description of device design and technique for use.
Methods:
Cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive, placed on the posterior side of a trephinated corneoscleral rim, is used to secure the allograft to a disposable acrylic sphere that is attached to a cylindrical base.
Results:
After fixation of the corneoscleral rim to the acrylic sphere, keratolimbal allograft harvesting is performed as a continuous strip dissection with a 65 Beaver blade. This technique minimizes trauma to the epithelial stem cells, provides excellent stability of the corneoscleral rim during harvesting, and preserves the central corneal button.
Conclusions:
This method for obtaining keratolimbal allografts effectively provides tissue stabilization during harvesting, minimizing epithelial stem cell trauma and eliminating the need for whole donor globes.
