Near infra-red labelling and tracking of corneal endothelial cells in-vivo.

Following corneal transplantation, there is an initial, rapid decline in corneal endothelial cells (CECs) following surgery. Direct imaging of post-transplantation endothelial cells is only possible weeks after surgery and with a limited field of view. We have developed a labelling approach using 1,1'-dioctadecyl-3,3,3',3'-tetramethylindotricarbocyanine iodide (DIR) dye solution, that enables tracking of labelled CECs in vivo for at least 1 month.

Optimisation of Storage and Transportation Conditions of Cultured Corneal Endothelial Cells for Cell Replacement Therapy.

As the cornea is one of the most transplanted tissues in the body it has placed a burden on the provision of corneas from cadaveric donors. Corneal endothelial dysfunction is the leading indication for cornea transplant. Therefore, tissue engineering is emerging as an alternative approach to overcome the global shortage of transplant-grade corneas.

Functional Evaluation of Two Corneal Endothelial Cell-Based Therapies: Tissue-Engineered Construct and Cell Injection.

Restoration of vision due to corneal blindness from corneal endothelial dysfunction can be achieved via a corneal transplantation. However, global shortage of donor tissues has driven the development cell-based therapeutics. With the capacity to propagate regulatory compliant human corneal endothelial cells (CEnCs), this study evaluated the functionality of propagated CEnCs delivered via tissue-engineered endothelial keratoplasty (TE-EK) or corneal endothelial cell injection (CE-CI) within a rabbit model of bullous keratopathy.

Intraoperative Optical Coherence Tomography-Guided Femtosecond Laser-Assisted Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty.

Purpose: To describe the feasibility and outcomes of intraoperative optical coherence tomography (OCT)-guided, femtosecond laser-assisted deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty in which the lamellar and tunnel cuts were completed by laser.

Methods: The Ziemer Z8 system was used to scan the corneas intraoperatively and guide the stromal lamellar and tunnel cuts created by the laser. Thirty porcine eyes and 3 human cadaver globes were used to evaluate the accuracy of laser-created intrastromal tunnels and the feasibility of achieving big-bubble pneumatic dissection.

Regulatory Compliant Tissue-Engineered Human Corneal Endothelial Grafts Restore Corneal Function of Rabbits with Bullous Keratopathy.

Corneal transplantation is the only treatment available to restore vision for individuals with blindness due to corneal endothelial dysfunction. However, severe shortage of available donor corneas remains a global challenge. Functional regulatory compliant tissue-engineered corneal endothelial graft substitute can alleviate this reliance on cadaveric corneal graft material.

Real-time assessment of corneal endothelial cell damage following graft preparation and donor insertion for DMEK.

Purpose: To establish a method for assessing graft viability, in-vivo, following corneal transplantation.

Methods: Optimization of calcein AM fluorescence and toxicity assessment was performed in cultured human corneal endothelial cells and ex-vivo corneal tissue. Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty grafts were incubated with calcein AM and imaged pre and post preparation, and in-situ after insertion and unfolding in a pig eye model.

Allogeneic Descemet's Membrane Transplantation Enhances Corneal Endothelial Monolayer Formation and Restores Functional Integrity Following Descemet's Stripping.

Purpose: To characterize the differences in corneal endothelial wound healing in the presence or absence of Descemet's membrane (DM), in vivo.

Methods: New-Zealand white rabbits were subjected to 7-mm endothelial wound either by scraping (n = 8; DM intact), peeling (n = 6; DM removed), or a combinatory scrape/peel wound (n = 6). In a second experiment, rabbits underwent peel wound with immediate transplantation of pure decellularized human DM (n = 4).