In-vitro comparative study of a locally prepared corneal storage medium and Optisol

To compare the in-vitro safety and efficacy of two corneal storage media, Optisol and H-Sol, a chondroitin-sulfate-based medium containing hydrocortisone prepared at the Eye Bank of Canada (Ontario Division).

Twenty paired corneas from human donors (mean age 67.9 years) were randomly assigned for storage in corneal viewing chambers at 4 degrees C in Optisol (10 corneas) or H-Sol (10 corneas). The storage media were masked, and all measurements were done in a blinded fashion.

Corneal clarity and thickness (measured at 0, 2, 4, 8 and 12 days), endothelial cell density and morphology (analysed at days 0 and 12). At day 12 cell viability was determined by staining with trypan blue and alizarin red S, and three randomly selected corneas from either medium were examined by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.

Corneal thickness increased significantly from day 0 to day 12 in both Optisol and H-Sol, and corneal clarity decreased significantly in both media over this period (p < 0.05). At days 2, 4, 8 and 12 the corneas stored in Optisol were significantly thinner than those stored in H-Sol (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences between the media in any of the other indices studied. Endothelial cell density decreased significantly in both Optisol and H-Sol (p < 0.05). There were no within-group differences in percentage of cell loss, coefficient of variation of cell area, figure coefficient or percentage of hexagonal cells.

The difference in corneal thickness between Optisol and H-Sol may have been due to the higher concentration of chondroitin sulfate in the former (2.5%, compared with 2% in H-Sol) or perhaps to the addition of other components to Optisol that are not present in H-Sol. Efforts continue to improve the formulation of H-Sol. Further studies are necessary to assess its safety and efficacy in vivo.