In Situ Versus Whole-Globe Harvesting of Corneal Tissue From Remote Donor Sites

Abstract

PURPOSE: There are 2 methods of corneal tissue procurement currently in widespread use: in situ extraction of the corneal button directly to preservation media and whole-globe enucleation of eyes with removal of the button to preservation media at a later time. This study evaluates the effects of these 2 procurement procedures on the initial quality of donor corneal tissue. METHODS: Slit-lamp examination results and endothelial cell counts were compared for a total of 468 donor corneas harvested at 2 remote locations: one where in situ procurement was practiced and the other that used whole-globe enucleation procedures. RESULTS: In both univariate and multivariate analysis, in situ corneas were found to have a lower incidence of moderate or severe haze and folds in Descemet membrane. No differences in mean endothelial cell counts were noted between the 2 populations of donated tissue. CONCLUSIONS: In situ procurement of corneal tissue results in higher initial corneal tissue quality than whole-globe procedures.