[Effect of a newly developed corneal storage medium on corneal endothelium--morphological study by scanning electron...

We compared the effects on corneal endothelium of the new storage mediums I and II with those of OPTISOL. Storage mediums I and II had the same formula, i.e., 0.1% hyaluronic acid, except for the concentration of basic medium TC-199. I contained 70% of the TC-199 concentration of OPTISOL and II contained 80%. Rabbit corneas were stored in storage mediums I and II for 3, 7, 10 and 14 days and in OPTISOL for 7, 10 and 14 days at 4 degrees C. After the 3-day storage period, endothelial cells were preserved in good condition. After the 7-day storage period, medium I showed better preservative ability in endothelial configuration than the other two storage media. Medium II and OPTISOL showed a similar storage potential morphologically. With increasing storage time, endothelial cells showed an irregular surface and a less defined cellular edge in both media II and OPTISOL.