V. Borderie et al., LIGHT-MICROSCOPIC EVALUATION OF HUMAN DONOR CORNEAL STROMA DURING ORGAN-CULTURE, Acta ophthalmologica Scandinavica, 76(2), 1998, pp. 154-157
Purpose: To try to facilitate evaluation of corneal stroma during orga
n culture by means of light microscopy. Methods: Corneal stroma of 53
consecutive organ-cultured corneas was studied by means of light micro
scopy during endothelial quality control. Out of 9 corneas with bad st
romal evaluation, 2 were studied by means of transmission electron mic
roscopy, and 7 were grafted. From the remaining 44 corneas with a norm
al light microscopic appearance, 35 were grafted. Results: Stromal abn
ormalities consisted of bright visible structures with a cell-like sha
pe corresponding to keratocyte injuries (i.e. cellular edema, light an
d dark vacuoles, cell membrane disruption and, finally; internal cytol
ysis) as observed by TEM. At 3 months postoperatively no clinical diff
erences between the two groups of transplants were observed. Conclusio
n: Corneal stroma can be evaluated qualitatively and easily by means o
f light microscopy during organ culture. Further studies are needed to
investigate whether the presence of lysed keratocytes in the graft's
stroma actually influences the outcome of transplantation.