Rabbit corneal endothelial physiologic and morphologic characteristics following storage in MK medium and K-Sol

Rabbit corneas were stored for 3, 7, 10 or 14 days in MK medium or K-Sol. Corneas were thinner immediately following removal from K-Sol than following removal from MK medium at all time periods studied. Following 3 days of storage, corneas stored in both solutions showed similar temperature reversal characteristics. Corneas stored for 7 and 10 days in MK medium also temperature reversed, whereas those stored in K-Sol did not. Corneas stored for 14 days in both solutions swelled following mounting in the specular microscope. Endothelial cell morphology was similar following storage in MK medium and K-Sol at all time periods studied. It is postulated that a persistant osmotic gradient is present across the endothelium following storage in K-Sol. This osmotic gradient occurs because of retention of chondroitin sulphate in the corneal stroma thereby preventing early temperature reversal.