A NEW SCLERAL SUCTION TREPHINE FOR RETRIEVAL OF CORNEOSCLERAL DONOR TISSUE

BACKGROUND: Removal of donor corneo-scleral shell from a cadaver, leav ing the remainder of the eye in place, has become a poplular technique . Manual removal can result in excessive trauma to the corneal endothe lium or an uneven scleral rim. METHODS: We describe a new technique fo r corneal retrieval using a sceral suction trephine. RESULTS: The scle ral suction trephine was cut evenly in our eyebank study. There was no additional trauma to the endothelium and the scleral rim was regular. CONCLUSION: Suction trephination of the sclera in retrieval of cornea l donor tissue appears to be safe and effective.