Aim: To introduce a new floating device for donor corneas to avoid accumulation of debris onto the endothelial surface during organ culture and to facilitate handling of the tissue during preservation and surgery. Methods: From 11 donors, one randomly chosen cornea was stored in organ culture attached to a floating device, while the contralateral cornea was attached to the lid of the phial by a suture ("hanging by suture"). Endothelial cell density (ECD) was evaluated prior to tissue storage and after 2-3 weeks of culture. Furthermore, we compared ECD in a larger group of corneas sent off for transplantation with the device (n = 281) to a historical group of control corneas "hanging by suture" (n = 444). Results: There was no significant difference in ECD between corneas attached to the floating device or "hanging by suture" (n = 11; p≥0.1). Similarly, no different ECDs were observed between corneas sent off for transplantation with the device (n = 281) and the historical group of control corneas "hanging by suture" (n = 444) (p≥0.1). Conclusion: The use of the floating device may not affect tissue quality. Since its introduction, the use of the device has been uneventful and greatly facilitated tissue handling.

doi.org/10.1136/bjo.2008.140574, hdl.handle.net/1765/29018
British Journal of Ophthalmology: a peer review journal for health professionals and researchers in ophthalmology
Erasmus MC: University Medical Center Rotterdam

Lie, J., Lock, F. M., Mulder, P., van der Wees, J., & Melles, G. R. J. (2008). Floating device for donor corneas in organ culture. British Journal of Ophthalmology: a peer review journal for health professionals and researchers in ophthalmology, 92(12), 1676–1678. doi:10.1136/bjo.2008.140574