Antifungal Pre-Transplantation Decontamination Of Donor Cornea-Scleral Rim Efficiency Of The Novel Microplasma Far-Uvc Light (222 Nm) Handheld Light Apparatus– Preliminary Results

Betadine solution at the time of recovery and Gentamicin, Streptomycin, and Amphotericin B in cornea preservation solution are currently in use for microbial decontamination in eye banking but serve only to reduce microbial contamination. The efficacy of a novel Microplasma Narrow-Band Far-UVC (222nm) light apparatus (US Patent Pending) in the potential elimination of corneal fungal and bacterial contamination was evaluated

Betadine solution at the time of recovery and Gentamicin, Streptomycin, and Amphotericin B in cornea preservation solution are currently in use for microbial decontamination in eye banking but serve only to reduce microbial contamination. The efficacy of a novel Microplasma Narrow-Band Far-UVC (222nm) light apparatus (US Patent Pending) in the potential elimination of corneal fungal and bacterial contamination was evaluated

Far-UVC 222nm light generated by a novel microplasma lamp of the handheld apparatus, applied directly on Saboraud agar plates (n=15) with Candida Albicans (CA) and MRSA, exposed for various periods from various distances. Then plates were incubated at 37C for 24 hrs. Colony counts, plate inhibition were measured and photo-documented. In addition, donor corneoscleral rims (n=5) were cultured before 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, MRSA at a set time from a set distance. In the group of contaminated corneoscleral rims, there was no growth of CA (all cultures were negative) after the microplasma lamp generated Far-UVC light exposure from a set distance. No endothelial toxicity was noted after Far-UVC light  exposure

Our study confirms the antifungal and antibacterial efficacy of the Patent Pending handheld apparatus with a novel Far-UVC light (222 nm) microplasma lamp. It appears safe for the endothelium at a set time and prescribed distance. A novel Far-UVC microplasma light apparatus may be used for the decontamination of the donor corneoscleral rim before in-situ recovery before transplantation