Suitability and Early Clinical Outcomes of Corneal Donor Tissue in the 76-80-Year-Old Age Group

There is a significant global shortage of corneal donor tissue suitable for keratoplasty. One simple strategy for addressing this shortage is to increase the upper age limit for acceptable tissue over the current customary upper limit of age 75. We describe a pilot study completed at one eye bank procuring, processing, and distributing keratoplasty tissue from donors aged 76 to 80 years.

This is a retrospective case series of donor tissues aged 76 to 80 years in comparison with donor tissues aged 71 to 75 years. Standard tissue parameters were evaluated for all tissues, including tissue suitability, mean endothelial cell density (ECD), death-to-procurement time, and cause of death. For the older tissues, clinical outcomes through 3 months were obtained from each surgeon, including intraoperative and postoperative complications.

Corneal tissues from donors aged 76 to 80 years had a similar suitability rate (57%) when compared with donors aged 71 to 75 years (59%) ( P = 0.635). Both groups had comparable ECDs ( P = 0.097). Early clinical outcomes of corneal grafts from donors older than 76 years were favorable, with no early graft failure or significant concerns for clinical safety or efficacy.

Our findings suggest that corneal tissues aged 76 to 80 years can be safely and efficiently transplanted in the United States. While additional study is needed, our results strengthen the case that expanding the upper age limit for donor age has the potential to help meet the global shortage for suitable keratoplasty tissue.