A further examination of short-term corneal storage

Short-term corneal storage at a temperature of 4degrees C. was assessed with human cadaver eyes. Aqueous was replaced by air in one of each of 11 pairs of eyes, stored for periods of up to 96 hours post-mortem. The influence of air on the endothelial layer was measured in terms of corneal thickness, trypan blue staining, and scanning electron microscopy. Air-filled eyes developed less corneal edema over the storage period. No significant differences were found between the endothelia of test and control eyes. Degenerative changes in endothelium were documented photographically.