Abstract
Purpose To evaluate the clinical outcomes of keratoplasties using donor corneas stored in the hypothermic storage medium Eusol-C (AL.CHI.MI.A. Srl).
Methods We retrospectively investigated the outcomes of 92 patients who underwent corneal transplantation using human donor corneas stored in Eusol-C medium at 2-8°C for up to 14 days. Donor age, sex, death-to-preservation time, and corneal storage time were also recorded. Endothelial cell (EC) density (ECD), EC mortality, and EC morphology scores were evaluated during storage in Eusol-C. The rate of complications 24 h after surgery and visual outcomes 3 and 6 months after surgery were evaluated. Corneal transparency was observed 24 hours, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery.
Results The mean Eusol-C storage time was 7.7 ± 2.5 days. ECD was measured at 2398 ± 354 cells/mm², and the average EC morphology score was 3.4 ± 0.7/4. Approximately 28% of corneas lacked EC mortality, while other tissues exhibited mortality mainly on the folds and periphery. Rebubbling rates in Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty and Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty surgeries were 0%. A total of 81.3% of the patients had transparent corneas the day after surgery, and no complications occurred. Mean visual acuity at 3 and 6 months, respectively, was 0.4 ± 0.4 logMar and 0.3 ± 0.5 logMar. No cases of graft failure were observed for up to 3 months, and no graft rejection occurred at the months follow-up.
Conclusion Satisfactory surgical outcomes were achieved by utilizing donor corneas stored in eusol-C medium at 2-8°C for up to 14 days.
