Corneal function after storage in dexsol or optisol

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Corneal Preservation
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Corneal storage media are crucial for maintaining tissue viability and function.
• Dexsol and Optisol are commonly used storage solutions for donor corneas.
• Understanding their impact on corneal hydration and deturgescence is vital for transplantation success.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the effects of Dexsol and Optisol on corneal thickness, deturgescence, and passive swelling.
• To evaluate the long-term corneal deturgescence activity after storage in these media.
• To determine the superiority of one storage solution over the other in preserving corneal function.

Main Methods:

• Rabbit and human corneas were stored in Dexsol or Optisol at 4°C for up to 14 days.
• Corneal thickness changes were monitored during storage.
• Net deturgescence and passive swelling were assessed through post-storage culture experiments.
• Ouabain was used to measure passive swelling characteristics.

Main Results:

• Corneas in Dexsol showed an initial thickness decrease of 10 microns, while Optisol caused a 35-micron decrease.
• Both solutions demonstrated similar net deturgescence and passive swelling patterns over time.
• Deturgescence rates decreased with longer storage, correlated with increased passive swelling.
• Total deturgescence activity after 14 days was 63% for Dexsol and 69% for Optisol compared to controls.
• Optisol was superior to Dexsol in preventing corneal swelling during storage.

Conclusions:

• Optisol offers no significant advantage over Dexsol in retaining post-storage corneal deturgescence activity.
• Optisol demonstrates superior efficacy in minimizing corneal swelling during storage compared to Dexsol.
• Storage duration negatively impacts deturgescence, primarily due to increased passive swelling over time.