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Corneal storage at room temperature
Abstract:
Short-term eye banking is based mainly on moist chamber and McCarey-Kaufman medium (M-K medium) preservation. Both involve a controlled 4 C temperature for storage. Warming the cornea to room temperature, however, drastically affects the endothelial viability. On enzymatic staining and histological study, the M-K medium-stored rabbit corneas had more normal endothelium than did "moist chamber" eyes when storage was prolonged for seven days at room temperature. In human corneas that were kept at 4 C for 24 hours and then exposed to a temperature of 25 C, destruction of organelles had occurred by six hours and was increased by 12 hours. Corneas that were kept in M-K medium had relatively intact endothelium after four days, but cell disruption and vacuolation was present by the seventh day. The M-K medium, therefore, affords protection to tissue warmed to room temperature, where metabolic activity is resumed.
Insights
McCarey-Kaufman medium (M-K medium) better preserves corneal endothelium than moist chambers during room temperature storage. M-K medium protects tissue where metabolic activity resumes, improving endothelial viability after warming.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Tissue Preservation
- Corneal Science
Background:
- Short-term eye banking relies on moist chamber and McCarey-Kaufman medium (M-K medium) for preservation at 4°C.
- Warming preserved corneas to room temperature significantly impacts endothelial cell viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of M-K medium versus moist chamber preservation for corneas stored at room temperature.
- To assess the impact of temperature changes on corneal endothelial cell integrity.
Main Methods:
- Enzymatic staining and histological examination of rabbit and human corneas.
- Corneas were stored in M-K medium or moist chambers and subjected to varying temperature conditions (4°C and 25°C).
- Endothelial viability and organelle integrity were assessed over time.
Main Results:
- Rabbit corneas in M-K medium showed more normal endothelium than moist chamber eyes after seven days at room temperature.
- Human corneas stored at 4°C for 24 hours and then warmed to 25°C exhibited organelle destruction within 6-12 hours.
- M-K medium preserved corneal endothelium relatively intact for four days, with some disruption by day seven at room temperature.
Conclusions:
- McCarey-Kaufman medium offers superior protection to corneal endothelium compared to moist chambers when stored corneas are warmed to room temperature.
- M-K medium supports resumed metabolic activity, thereby enhancing tissue viability after temperature shifts relevant to transplantation procedures.