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Updated: Sep 2, 2025
Corneal Donor Tissue Preparation for Descemet's Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty
Published on: September 17, 2014
Preservation of donor corneal epithelium in McCarey-Kaufman medium
Amanjot Kaur1, Smruti R Priyadarshini1, Amrita Mohanty1
1Cornea and Anterior Segment Service, L. V. Prasad Eye Institute, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
Purpose:
To evaluate the role of McCarey-Kaufman (MK) medium in maintaining the integrity of donor corneal epithelium.
Methods:
Nineteen corneal buttons were harvested and stored in MK media at 2°C-8°C for four days. Serial photographs were done every day till the 3rd day, and images were then analyzed with ImageJ software (LOCI, University of Wisconsin, USA). The area of exposure and epithelial defect (ED) was calculated every day for each corneal button.
Results:
The average age of the donors was 56.5 ± 22.7 years and mean time from death to preservation of the corneal buttons was 7.7 ± 3.1 hours. The average corneal area was 145.6 ± 18.8 mm2. The total mean area of exposure was 3.6 ± 4.8, 7.2 ± 9.2, and 9.0 ± 11.9 mm2, and ED was 1.7 ± 4.6, 2.8 ± 5.3, and 3.3 ± 5.9 mm2 on days 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The percentage of increase in the area of exposure and ED in MK media was 3.71% and 1.1% from day 1 to day 3, respectively. Six out of 19 corneal buttons (31.57%) were utilized for keratoplasties, of which two were utilized in house and four were distributed outside. Of the two utilized corneas, none had epithelial defect on postoperative day 1. Rest 13 corneas were either used for training and research purposes, stored in glycerol media, or discarded.
Conclusion:
Since the percentage change in area of exposure/ED is not much at the end of day 3, corneas stored in MK media can be safely used even after three days of storage. Hence, MK medium serves as an excellent medium in maintaining the integrity of donor corneal epithelium.
Insights
McCarey-Kaufman (MK) medium effectively preserves donor corneal epithelium integrity for up to three days. This study shows minimal epithelial defect increase, confirming MK medium
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Tissue Engineering
- Corneal Transplantation
Background:
- Donor corneal preservation is crucial for successful transplantation.
- Maintaining epithelial integrity is vital for graft survival and visual outcomes.
- Current preservation media require evaluation for optimal donor tissue viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of McCarey-Kaufman (MK) medium in preserving donor corneal epithelium.
- To quantify epithelial defect changes in corneas stored in MK medium over time.
Main Methods:
- Nineteen donor corneal buttons were stored in MK medium at 2°C-8°C for four days.
- Daily photographic documentation and ImageJ analysis were performed to measure epithelial defect (ED) area.
- Corneal button characteristics and utilization rates were recorded.
Main Results:
- Corneal buttons showed minimal increase in area of exposure (3.71%) and ED (1.1%) from day 1 to day 3.
- Six of 19 (31.57%) corneas were used for keratoplasty, with no postoperative day 1 epithelial defects in the two utilized corneas.
- The mean donor age was 56.5 years, with a mean preservation time of 7.7 hours post-mortem.
Conclusions:
- MK medium demonstrates excellent capability in maintaining donor corneal epithelium integrity.
- Corneas stored in MK medium can be safely used for transplantation even after three days.
- The findings support the continued use of MK medium in eye banking practices.
