Efficiency Of The Novel Narrow-Band Ultraviolet (Uv) Handheld Light Apparatus In Antifungal And Antibacterial Decontamination Of Donor Corneas – Preliminary Results

Betadine solution at the time of recovery and Gentamicin, Streptomycin, and Amphotericin B in cornea preservation solutions are currently in use for microbial decontamination in eye banking but serve only to reduce microbial contamination. The efficacy of a novel Narrow-Band UV light apparatus in the potential elimination of corneal fungal and bacterial contamination was evaluated

This study performed at the Lions Eye Institute for Transplant and Research, Tampa, Florida, USA

UV Light generated by novel handheld apparatus (US Patent Pending) was applied directly on Saboraud agar plates (n=15) with Candida Albicans (CA) and MRSA, exposed for various times periods and distances after which plates were incubated at 37 degrees Celsius for 24 hrs. Colony counts, plates inhibition was measured and photo-documented. In addition, donor corneoscleral rims (n=5) were cultured prior to contamination, post-contamination with patient-isolated CA, and post-UV light application for a set time from a set distance. Corneal endothelial safety was evaluated (n=5) by specular microscopy at 10 min, 1 day, and 3 days post-irradiation on each cornea. Fluorescent microscopy was used to determine the viability of the endothelial cells

There was no plate growth of CA, and MRSA at a set time from a set distance. In a group of contaminated corneoscleral rims, there was no growth of CA (all cultures were negative) after UV light exposure from a set distance. No endothelial toxicity was noted after UV exposure

Our study confirms the antifungal and antibacterial efficacy of the Patent Pending handheld apparatus with novel Narrow-Band UV light. It appears safe for the endothelium at a set time and prescribed distance. Novel UV light apparatus may be used for the decontamination of the donor corneoscleral rim prior to in-situ recovery