A new device to improve screening of corneal transplant tissue

Marous, James R. An Eye Bank Endothelial Cell Counter Abstract Procurement of donor corneal tissue for transplant use is an important social service undertaken by largely underfunded eye banks. Tissue is not only harvested, but must be screened for a myriad of issues that may make the tissue unsuitable for transplant or pose a health risk to the tissue recipient. Donor tissue may be rejected for morphological issues including prior refractive surgeries (LASIK) or low endothelial cell count. Donor tissue that has undergone a procedure leaving an epithelial flap, such as LASIK, cannot be use for transplant as the flap will separate during suturing. Low endothelial cell count is also a basis for rejection of donor tissue as low endothelial cell count is a precursor to substantial corneal edema. Currently, eye banks screen donor tissue for these issues after the tissue has been harvested either as a whole globe or a corneal-scleral rim. Tissue is returned to the eye bank laboratory and a variety of tests are p