Eurosol versus fetal bovine serum-containing corneal storage medium

Purpose. To evaluate the usability of Eurosol, a new medium-term corneal st orage medium without components of bovine origin. Methods. Ten pairs of hum an donor corneas were placed in tissue culture at 31 degreesC for 7, 14, 21 , 28, or 35 days. One cornea of each pair was cultivated in conventional st orage medium on Earls' minimum essential medium base containing 2% fetal bo vine serum; the other one was stored in Eurosol. Corneas were examined with inverse light microscopy; corneal thickness was measured; and scanning ele ctron microscopy was performed. Results. No significant difference in corne al thickness and endothelial cell count was found at any time. Scanning ele ctron microscopy showed a complete endothelial cell layer on all corneas. C onclusion. The findings indicate a potential clinical applicability of the tested serum-free medium-term storage medium, offering a safer alternative to conventional media containing fetal bovine serum.