[Histopathological assessment of corneal preservation]

To show corneal changes after corneal preservation.

There was studied 10 pig corneas: a fresh cornea; two corneas stored in wet chamber at 4 degrees C, 24 and 48 hours; seven corneas stored in Inosol at 31 degrees C, 24 hours, 7, 10, 14, 18, 20 and 22 days.

We obtained images of every cornea; we followed epithelial, stromal and endothelial changes.

1. During corneal preservation there are progressive histological changes, early in epithelium and stroma, later at endothelial level. 2. The safe preservation period in wet chamber at 4 degrees C is 24 hours; the changes found after 48 hours are irreversibile. 3. The safe preservation period in Inosol at 31 degrees C is 14 days.