Serial Endothelial Cell Count of Donor Corneal Buttons in Optisol-GS

Optisol–GS storage medium allows donor corneas to remain viable until they are transplanted to cornea-blind recipients. In order to remain viable, the corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) must remain above 2 200 cells per mm2. The objective of this study is to determine how long donor corneas may remain viable in Optisol-GS based on their ECD. Although our findings show that the ECD of corneas stored in Optisol-GS decreased steadily, it remained above the critical level of 2 200 cells per mm2 for up to 9 days, suggesting that corneal buttons may remain viable for at least this amount of time.