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Effectiveness of a decontamination method for donor corneas
P R Badenoch1, S J Alfrich, T R Wedding
1Department of Ophthalmology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia.
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|March 1, 1988
Summary
Standard eye bank decontamination effectively eliminates microbes from donor eye tissue. This process ensures the safety of ocular grafts by eradicating common gut and skin organisms, including candida.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microbiology
- Transplantation Science
Background:
- Donor eye microbial contamination poses a risk to ocular transplant recipients.
- Effective decontamination protocols are crucial for ensuring the safety of donor eye tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a specific eye bank decontamination and storage method.
- To compare microbial contamination levels in donor eyes before and after processing.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective analysis of microbial cultures.
- Comparison of cultures from the limbus at enucleation versus scleral remnants post-surgery.
Main Results:
- Microorganisms were isolated from 73% of donor eyes at the limbus.
- Only 4% of scleral remnants yielded microbial growth post-processing.
- Standard procedures successfully eradicated common gut and skin organisms, including Candida species.
Conclusions:
- The eye bank's decontamination and storage method is highly effective.
- The protocol successfully eliminates significant microbial loads from donor ocular tissue.
- This ensures a safer supply of donor eyes for transplantation.