Split donor tissue can be stored for one week

Article

Split donor tissues can be stored for up to one week before DALK and DMEK surgery, according to a paper published in the journal Ophthalmology.

Split donor tissues can be stored for up to one week before DALK and DMEK surgery, according to a paper published in the journal Ophthalmology.

Dr L. M. Heindl et al., Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany, completed a retrospective analysis of a non-randomized consecutive interventonal case series. The study included a total of 220 eyes-110 eyes with anterior stromal disease suitable for DALK and 110 eyes with endothelial disease qualifying for DMEK.

The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), endothelial cell density and complications rate within 12 months of follow-up. Spearman correlation coefficient and a Mann-Whitney U test was used to analyse the correlation between split donor storage times, total storages times and one-year functional morphologic outcomes.

One year after DALK the mean BSCVA was 20/30, endothelial cell loss was 8% and the complication rate was 18%. The complications included Descemet’s folds, epitheliopathy and loose sutures.

One year after DMEK mean BSCVA was 20/25, endothelial cell loss was 41% and the complication rate was 62%. The complication occurring after DMEK was partial graft detachment.

It is possible for anterior and posterior donor tissue to be stored for up to one week in organ culture before use in surgical procedures. This means the feasibility of split cornea transplantation is simplified because donor shortage and cost will decrease.

To read the paper please visit this link.

Newsletter

Join ophthalmologists across Europe—sign up for exclusive updates and innovations in surgical techniques and clinical care.

Recent Videos
Christine Curcio, PhD, of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine, shares histology update and revised nomenclature for OCT with Sheryl Stevenson of the Eye Care Network and Ophthalmology Times
SriniVas R. Sadda, MD, FARVO, shares key points from his retina presentation at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium
Robert Sergott, MD, describes fluorescence lifetime imaging ophthalmoscopy (FLIO) and the International SPECTRALIS Symposium – And Beyond (ISS) in Heidelberg, Germany.
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, a professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine - Qatar, spoke with Ophthalmology Times Europe about his presentation. It's titled "An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma" at the International SPECTRALIS Sympsoium. In conversation with Hattie Hayes, Ophthalmology Times Europe
Anat Loewenstein, MD, describes her presentation on remote imaging for age-related macular degeneration and geographic atrophy at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium, in conversation with Hattie Hayes of Ophthalmology Times Europe
Tyson Brunstetter, OD, PhD, a US Navy Aerospace Optometrist at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas, shares key takeaways from his keynote at the International SPECTRALIS Symposium (ISS)
Rayaz Malik, MBChB, PhD, shares his presentation, titled An eye on neurodegenerative diseases: Challenging the dogma, at this year's International SPECTRALIS Symposium
At the Retina World Congress, Siegfried Priglinger, MD, speaks about ensuring the best outcomes for preschool-aged patients
At the 2025 ASCRS meeting, Robert Ang, MD said small aperture IOLs can benefit all patients, especially those with complex corneas or who have undergone previous corneal refractive surgery
Viha Vig, MBChB graduate student at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, discusses her poster presentation on the relationship between mitochondiral disease, Alzheimer disease, and other types of dementia.
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.