Role of the Endothelial Layer in the Deswelling Process of Organ-Cultured Human Corneas Before Transplantation.

Purpose: Before corneal transplant surgery, a deswelling process of organ-cultured corneas is required. This study compares the deswelling kinetics of corneas with an intact endothelial cell layer and disrupted or removed endothelium by measuring central corneal thickness (CCT) over time using anterior segment spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

Methods: Ten donor pairs were cultured in organ culture.

Changing Indications in Penetrating Keratoplasty: A Systematic Review of 34 Years of Global Reporting.

Background: Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) ranks among the oldest and most common kinds of human tissue transplantation. Based on the hypothesis that reported indications for PK significantly vary between global regions and over time, the present systematic review aimed to provide a thorough overview of global PK indications as reported in peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Methods: A literature search of PubMed and MEDLINE was conducted to retrieve articles published from January 1980 to May 2014.

Gebauer SLc Original and Moria One-Use Plus automated microkeratomes for ultrathin Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty preparation.

Purpose: We compared the SLc Original (SLc) and One-Use Plus (OUP) microkeratomes for ultrathin Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) lamella preparation and storage, vis-à-vis accuracy, endothelial cell loss (ECL) and lamellar surface roughness (LSR).

Methods: Twenty-five human corneas were dissected with single-use heads of different sizes aiming for a posterior lamella (PL) thickness of 85 μm, after which they were incubated for 6 days in a 5% dextran medium. Before preparation (0 hr) and 1, 24, and 144 hr after dissection, ECL and corneal thickness (CCT) were measured by ultrasound pachymetry (USP) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

The role of corneal endothelial morphology in graft assessment and prediction of endothelial cell loss during organ culture of human donor corneas.

Purpose: Endothelial assessment is crucial in the release of corneas for grafting. We retrospectively analysed the role of endothelial morphology parameters in predicting endothelial cell loss during organ culture.

Methods: Human donor corneas were cultured in minimal essential medium with 2% fetal calf serum and antibiotics.

Conjunctival and intraocular swabs for the microbiological assessment of donor corneas.

Purpose: In this study, we investigated the associations between conjunctival (co) and intraocular (io) swabs and their implications for the contamination rates of organ-cultured corneas.

Methods: A total of 4177 swabs from 1054 corneas of 527 donors were acquired from the conjunctiva, after disinfection with 5% polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine solution, and also from the anterior chamber after corneoscleral trepanation (io). Samples were incubated at 22.

The Role of Specifically Tailored Communication Training Among Factors Influencing Consent for Cornea Donation Requested Via Telephone.

Background: Consent for cornea donation from non-heart-beating donors is often requested by means of telephone interviews with relatives of the deceased. The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of specifically tailored interviewer communications training among other factors related to obtaining consent.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of consent requests made by the Aachen Cornea Bank was performed.

Comparison of Gebauer SLc and Moria CBm Carriazo-Barraquer ALK Microkeratomes for Descemet's Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Preparation.

Purpose: We compared the hand-guided Moria Carriazo-Barraquer (CBm) microkeratome with the fully automatic SLc microkeratome for Descemet's stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK)-lamella preparation and storage, vis-à-vis accuracy, endothelial cell loss (ECL), and lamellar surface roughness (LSR).

Methods: A total of 18 human corneas were dissected with both the 300 μm CBm multi-use (n = 9) and the 300 µm SLc (n = 9) single-use heads, after which they were incubated for 6 d in a 5% dextran medium. Before preparation (0 h) and 1, 24, and 144 h after dissection, ECL and corneal thickness (CT) were measured by ultrasound pachymetry (USP) and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

A disposable system for rapid purification of autologous plasmin as an adjunct to vitrectomy - performance and safety profile.

Background: The generation of an atraumatic posterior vitreous detachment (PVD), a common goal in vitreoretinal surgery, is a challenge particularly in children and young trauma patients. Plasmin has been proposed as a surgical adjunct to enzymatically generate a PVD. This study assesses the performance and safety of a new system for rapid purification of plasmin as an adjunct to vitrectomy.

New treatment option for adult-onset limbal xanthogranuloma.

Purpose: The purposes of this study are to report a case of adult-onset juvenile xanthogranuloma and suggest a new treatment option.

Methods: A 35-year-old man presented with an isolated mass of the limbus. Biopsy revealed a histiocytic tumor with Touton's giant cells staining positive for CD68 and S-100 but negative for CD1a, consistent with JXG.

Detection of contamination during organ culture of the human cornea.

Purpose: Corneas harvested post-mortem are at risk of contamination, therefore antibiotic additives are used in cold storage and organ culture systems. In the latter, sterility testing of the medium is part of the standard protocol. Intuitively, testing after longer organ culture periods should be more likely to detect contaminations than early testing, but may delay allocation.

Effect of intravitreal plasmin on vitreous removal through a 25-gauge cutting system in the rabbit in vivo.

Purpose: Intravitreal plasmin creates a posterior vitreous detachment, but may also liquefy the vitreous. This study measures the rate of vitreous removal from rabbit eyes after plasmin injection in vivo.

Methods: Intravitreal injections of 150 IU hyaluronidase (n = 5), 0.

Recurrent suprachoroidal dislocation of an anterior chamber intraocular lens.

We present a patient with a history of posterior chamber intraocular lens (PC IOL) implantation and trabeculotomy 9 years previously who recently had IOL exchange for an angle-based anterior chamber IOL. Twenty-four hours after the exchange, he was referred to us with hypotony and "loss" of the IOL. Ultrasound revealed a rigid choroidal detachment and echoes suggestive of a suprachoroidally dislocated IOL.

Sterilization and preservation influence the biophysical properties of human amnion grafts.

The introduction of amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation in ophthalmic surgery holds great promise and in many clinical situations it offers an alternative to existing management options. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of established sterilization and preservation procedures on biophysical and histological properties of AM grafts. Amnion was sterilized by peracetic acid/ethanol sterilization [PES] and preserved by air-drying (sterile laminar flow) [AD] or in glycerol [GLYC].

Efficacy of plasmin enzymes and chondroitinase ABC in creating posterior vitreous separation in the pig: a masked, placebo-controlled in vivo study.

Background: Induction of posterior vitreous detachment (PVD) during vitrectomy helps to prevent proliferative complications, but can be traumatic to the retina, particularly in young patients. Adjunct enzymes have been proposed to facilitate PVD. We investigated the efficacy of enzymes in creating PVD as an adjunct to vitrectomy in the pig.

Longer-term outcomes of transconjunctival sutureless 25-gauge vitrectomy.

Purpose: To report longer-term outcomes in eyes undergoing 25-gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy.

Design: Retrospective, noncomparative, case series.

Methods: Chart review of the initial 45 consecutive patients (45 eyes) that underwent TSV by one surgeon (T.

[Macular hole surgery: experience with autologous platelet concentrate and indocyanine green-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling].

Background: To report on our clinical experience with autologous platelet concentrate and indocyanine green(ICG)-assisted internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling in macular hole surgery.

Patients And Methods: Standard 3-port vitrectomy was performed in 107 eyes of 101 patients (m: f = 27 : 74; mean age 60 +/- 9, range 30 - 80 years) with idiopathic macular hole stages II - IV. After fluid/air exchange, autologous platelet concentrate was applied (1.

Indocyanine-green-assisted internal limiting membrane peeling in macular hole surgery--a follow-up study.

Background: Macular hole surgery including vitrectomy and peeling of epiretinal membranes and the internal limiting membrane (ILM) has become a standard procedure in retinal surgery. Poor visualization of the ILM is an obstacle for successful surgery. Recently, indocyanine green (ICG) has been reported to be a helpful intraocular substance in identifying these membranes.