The Changes of Corneal Endothelium in Rabbit according to Storage Temperature and Enucleation Time

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate corneal endothelial cell changes in Optisol-GSⓇ according to enucleation time at different storage temperatures after death. Methods: Eight rabbit cadavers (16 eyes) were stored at -3℃ and room temperature, and enucleation was performed 10 and 24 hours postmortem. The samples were divided into four groups (Group 1 was -3℃, 10 hours, Group 2 was room temperature, 10 hours, Group 3 was -3℃, 24 hours, and Group 4 was room temperature, 24 hours). The corneas were stored in Optisol-GSⓇ at 4℃, and we measured corneal endothelial cell density and thickness by specular microscopy on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, and 14 of preservation. Results: The densities and thicknesses of corneal endothelial cells of each of the four groups after enucleation showed no significant difference. Corneal endothelial cell density acceptable for penetrating keratoplasty (CD>2500 cells/mm2) was found in groups 1 and 3 until 14 days, in group 2 until 10 days, and in group 4 until 7 days. In particular, eyes stored at -3℃ had less corneal endothelial cell loss than at room temperature after 7 days and 14 days (P