Endothelial evaluation in the cornea bank.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Cell Biology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Organ-cultured donor corneas are essential for corneal transplantation.
• Microscopic evaluation of corneal endothelial cells is critical for graft success.
• Standardized methods are needed to assess cell density and morphology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline the standard light microscopy techniques for evaluating organ-cultured donor corneas.
• To emphasize the importance of endothelial cell density and morphology assessment for graft viability.
• To detail methods for analyzing cell count, vitality, and morphology.

Main Methods:

• Corneas immersed in a hypotonic solution for endothelial cell visualization.
• Analysis of cell number, vitality, and morphology using light microscopy.
• Estimation of cell density via the fixed frame/L method and image analysis systems.

Main Results:

• Endothelial cell density is a key criterion for releasing donor corneas for grafting.
• A density of 2,000-2,200 cells/mm² is the recognized lower limit for optimal graft survival.
• Morphology assessment includes pleomorphism, polymegathism, and granulation/vacuolization.

Conclusions:

• Endothelial cell evaluation is obligatory at the end of organ culture.
• Vital staining with trypan blue aids in recognizing devitalized cells.
• Accurate assessment ensures the suitability of donor corneas for transplantation.