McCarey-Kaufman technique of corneal storage before penetrating keratoplasties in rabbits. An evaluation

Abstract

The endothelial function of rabbit corneas stored in modified tissue culture medium (McCarey-Kaufman medium) for periods of 4, 8, or 12 days was studied after penetrating keratoplasty using the specular microscope and the response to temperature reversal. Our results indicate that rabbit donor corneas stored in McCarey-Kaufman (M-K) medium are suitable for penetrating keratoplasty after storage periods as long as 12 days. The limitations of using graft clarity or the morphologic appearance of the endothelium as an index of the success of a penetrating keratoplasty in the rabbit are discussed.