Microbial Analysis of Donor Corneoscleral Rims and Storage Media

Purpose: We aim to investigate bacterial and fungal cultures of hypothermic donor corneal storage media (Optisol-GS) and donor rims. Methods: All corneal transplants performed from January 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 by a single surgeon at a single facility were retrospectively reviewed. Aerobic, anaerobic, and fungal cultures were routinely obtained from all donor rims and cornea storage media. Culture results and clinical courses were recorded. Results: Eighty-four corneal transplants were performed. Five of 84 grafts (5.95%) had positive bacteria donor rim cultures. Fungal donor rim cultures were positive in 5/84 grafts (5.95%) of which two grew Candida spp. Storage media bacterial cultures were positive in 2/84 (2.4%) cultures. Storage media fungal cultures were positive in 1/84 (1.2%) cultures. No patients developed any evidence of clinical infection. Conclusions: Given the increasing rates of postkeratoplasty fungal infections, the identification of positive fungal cultures from donor rims and storage media warrants further evaluation of adding antifungals to storage media.