Potential Functional Restoration of Corneal Endothelial Cells in Fuchs Endothelial Corneal Dystrophy by ROCK Inhibitor (Ripasudil).

Purpose: Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitors have been successfully used as a rescue strategy in eyes that failed to clear after descemetorhexis without endothelial graft for treatment of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD). The functional mechanisms by which ROCK inhibitors modulate corneal endothelial cell regeneration in FECD patients have, however, not been clarified. Here, we analyzed the effect of the ROCK inhibitor ripasudil on corneal endothelial cells of FECD patients and normal donors using ex vivo tissue and in vitro cellular models.

Preservation of the Corneal Epithelium in Different Corneal Storage Media.

Purpose: With increasing time, epithelial defects (EDs) develop in virtually all corneas stored in corneal storage media. Optisol GS and Life 4°C are commonly available intermediate storage media used for corneal storage before keratoplasty. Epithelial preservation capabilities of Life 4°C and Optisol GS are compared in this study.