Microkeratome preparation of lamellar corneal grafts

PURPOSE. To evaluate the thickness and viability of microkeratome-prepared lamellar corneal grafts in cold storage. METHODS. Ten human corneas were sectioned with a mechanical microkeratome with a 350-μm depth head and stored in Optisol GS at 4°C for 2 days to simulate an eye bank scenario. Central corneal thickness before and after mechanical microkeratome sectioning was measured by ultrasonic pachymetry. Endothelial cell viability was evaluated by trypan blue and alizarin red staining. RESULTS. Total corneal thickness immediately before microkeratome dissection was 562 ± 51 μm. Anterior and posterior graft thicknesses were 296 ± 111 μm and 270 ± 74 μm, respectively, immediately after dissection, and 282 ± 38 μm and 429 ± 31 μm, respectively, 2 days after storage. There was significant swelling in the posterior (P=0.005) but not the anterior grafts (P=0.386). The percentage of devitalized endothelial cells was 3.0% ± 1.2%. CONCLUSIONS. Corneal lamellar grafts may possibly be precut in a centralized facility and stored cold before further distribution.