Critical evaluation of corneal graft surgery using fresh corneas and corneas preserved in MK-medium

Penetrating keratoplasty was done in 112 patients. Two types of donor material were used: whole eyes preserved in a moist chamber at 4 degrees C, and corneoscleral segments preserved in MK-medium 4 degrees C. Comparison of the postoperative results was done. No significant correlation was found between the postoperative results and the difference between donor and recipient age. The subjective evaluation of donor material was not accurate. The death-to-enucleation time of 6.1 +/- 6.2 h was tolerated and had no significant influence on the postoperative result. A partial relationship was found between postoperative vision and death-to-surgery time. The earlier the surgery, the better were the results. Both preservation methods, whole eyes in a moist chamber and corneoscleral segments in MK-medium, were useful in cases with good prognosis, e.g. keratoconus. The MK-preservation method was found to be superior in cases with corneal opacity and vascularization.