Check Points Of Human Donor Corneas: What To Check & Limitations
Published 2023 - 41st Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: PP08.12 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/n33c-m833
Authors: Maria Laura Passaro* 1 , Chiara Ancona 2 , Matteo Airaldi 3 , Alessandro Ruzza 4 , Ciro Costagliola 1 , Stefano Ferrari 4 , Francesco Semeraro 2 , Diego Ponzin 4 , Vito Romano 2
1Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry,University of Naples Federico II,Naples,Italy, 2Eye Clinic, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences, and Public Health,University of Brescia,Brescia,Italy, 3Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine,University of Brescia,Brescia,Italy, 4International Center for Ocular Physiopathology,Fondazione Banca Degli Occhi del Veneto Onlus,Venice,Italy
Purpose
To report the protocol adopted by our retrieval team, eye bank technicians and ophthalmic surgeons on corneal donor tissue evaluation, and describe a case series of interesting cases.
Setting
Case series.
Methods
A detailed history and inspection of donor eye ball made by the retrieval team is usually performed. Eye banking technicians perform multiple direct examination of the corneal donor tissue, detailing transparency and endothelial cell count, and indirect examination (analysis of the media). Surgeons in operating theatre perform an examination of the corneal tissue under surgical microscope. Limitation of each phase of donor selection were analysed.
Results
In eight of the donor tissues declared suitable by the retrieval team, a careful examination with slit-lamp bio microscopy and specular microscopy of epithelium stroma and endothelium conducted by eye bank technicians showed: two cases of corneal infection, one case of keratoconus confirmed at OCT scan, one case of map dot fingerprint dystrophy, two cases of scar due to trauma and one cases of scar due to previous corneal neovascularization. In three of the donor tissues declared suitable by the eye bank, examination in operating theatre by the surgeons showed two cases of fungal infection and two cases of significant endothelial cells mortality.
Conclusions
A proper training for retrieval team, eye bank technicians and ophthalmic surgeons can lead to resource-saving and allow to avoid implanting tissues that might result in a risk for surgery success and for patients’ safety. A thorough standardisation of the corneal tissue evaluation process and the development of precise stratification of the tissue features with clear indications for lamellar transplantation, could increase surgical success and reduce the overall risks.