DECONTAMINATION OF DONOR CORNEAS DURING P REPARATION AND PRESERVATION

Endophthalmitis after penetrating keratoplasty is rare but more freque ntly observed than after other intraocular procedures. The main source may be a contaminated donor cornea. This survey reviews current conce pts of donor globe decontamination and avoidance of infection during p reservation. Basically, we suggest the use of a 3% PVP-Iodine solution for decontamination of donor globes. Using short-term preservation te chniques, the tissue should be stored at ambient temperature after pre paration of corneoscleral disc or before transplantation for a while t o allow antibiotics to act against decontaminants. Tissue stored by or gan culture should be kept in a sealed vial. Alternatively, the medium may be changed every 10 to 14 days under sterile conditions.