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Hydration changes in cadaver eyes prepared for practice and experimental surgery
M A Terry1, P J Ousley, M L Zjhra
1Devers Eye Institute, Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Center, Portland.
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|April 1, 1994
Summary
Hyperosmolar solutions effectively thin postmortem corneas for surgical use. Dextran solution drops stabilized corneal thickness, minimizing hydration shifts in de-epithelialized corneas.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Surgical Techniques
- Tissue Engineering
Background:
- Postmortem corneal thinning is crucial for surgical experiments.
- Maintaining stable corneal thickness post-thinning presents a challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify reliable and efficient methods for thinning postmortem corneas.
- To develop techniques for stabilizing corneal thickness after thinning.
Main Methods:
- Evaluated three corneal thinning methods: increased intraocular pressure, anterior chamber fluid exchange with dextran, and immersion in dextran solution.
- Assessed the stability of thinned corneas by exposure to air, Balanced Salt Solution (BSS), or dextran solution drops.
Main Results:
- Dextran-based methods (Groups B and C) were more effective than pressure gradients (Group A) for achieving normal corneal thickness.
- Air exposure and BSS drops caused significant hydration changes in thinned corneas.
- Dextran solution drops effectively stabilized corneal thickness, with only minor thinning (5-13%).
Conclusions:
- Hyperosmolar solutions are superior to pressure gradients for thinning cadaver corneas.
- Hyperosmolar topical solutions minimize hydration shifts in de-epithelialized corneas, unlike BSS or air exposure.