Organ Culture Corneal Storage at Ambient Room Temperature

A simple Inexpensive method of organ culture corneal storage at ambient room temperature in which the media is never changed (closed system) has been developed. Human and cat corneas preserved in sealed heat-resistant culture tubes containing 50 ml of a modified Eagles minimum essential medium at ambient room temperature (22 to 24 C) retained active metabolism with adequate medium substrate and pH buffering for 7 to 12 days. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy revealed maintenance of an ultrastructurally intact endothelial layer for 6 to 7 days in human corneas and up to 14 days in cat corneas. Human endothelial function as measured by in vitro physiologic deturgescence capability was retained after up to 13 days storage. Good control of tissue sterility was achieved and observation of media clarity and pH (phenol red indicator) provided a check for microbial contamination. Closed system organ culture corneal storage at ambient room temperature provides several advantages as a method of corneal preservation.