Corneal lenticule storage before reimplantation

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Biomaterials Science
• Tissue Engineering

Background:

• Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) generates lenticules that require optimal storage.
• Maintaining lenticule integrity and clarity is crucial for potential research or therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the optimal short-term and long-term storage conditions for lenticules.
• To evaluate the impact of different storage media and temperatures on lenticule clarity, cell viability, and immunogenicity.

Main Methods:

• 99 human SMILE lenticules were stored short-term in PBS, DMEM, Optisol GS, or glycerol.
• Long-term storage (4 weeks) evaluated eight different conditions.
• Assays included transmittance (clarity), TUNEL (cell death), TEM (collagen structure), and immunohistochemistry (immunogenicity).

Main Results:

• Short-term storage at 4°C or room temperature showed promise.
• Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) followed by cryopreservation or glycerol storage maintained the best clarity at 4 weeks.
• Glycerol storage preserved collagen fibril spacing, while cryopreservation narrowed it.

Conclusions:

• Short-term lenticule storage at 4°C or room temperature is viable without specialized equipment.
• Specific media and temperature combinations can maintain lenticule clarity and structural integrity.
• Further research into long-term storage solutions is warranted for clinical applications.