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Morphologic changes of K-Sol preserved human corneas.
E J Farge1, R A Fort, K R Wilhelmus
1Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Cornea
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Chondroitin sulfate-supplemented K-Sol medium shows promise for donor corneal preservation. However, extended storage beyond 10 days in K-Sol medium may compromise corneal cellular morphology.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Tissue Engineering
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Chondroitin sulfate supplementation enhances donor corneal preservation.
- McCarey-Kaufman (MK) medium is a standard for corneal storage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of chondroitin sulfate-supplemented K-Sol medium.
- To compare K-Sol medium with MK medium for maintaining corneal cellular morphology.
Main Methods:
- Human corneas were preserved in K-Sol (up to 20 days) or MK medium (up to 6 days).
- Morphological analysis was performed using light, transmission electron, and scanning electron microscopy.
- Specular microscopy assessed endothelial cell loss over time.
Main Results:
- Endothelial cell loss averaged 5.8% after 1 week and 7.4% after 13 days in K-Sol.
- Keratocyte changes were significant after 10 days; endothelial morphology deteriorated after 17 days.
- Epithelial changes were erratic during the 20-day preservation period.
Conclusions:
- K-Sol medium can preserve human corneas at 4°C for up to 10 days.
- Caution is advised for corneal preservation in K-Sol beyond 10 days due to cellular morphology changes.