Whole globe enucleation versus in situ excision for donor corneal retrieval - A prospective comparative study

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the results after changing from conventional whole globe enucleation to in situ excision of donor corneas. Methods: Donor corneal tissue retrieved by enucleation (n = 50) and in situ excision (n = 50) was quantitatively evaluated prospectively, and the main parameters evaluated were endothelial cell counts, ultrasonic corneal pachymetry, microbial contamination, graft clarity, and postoperative median visual acuity at the end of 3 months. Results: Mean preoperative donor endothelial cell densities were 2174 ± 123 and 2132 ± 149 cells per millimeter square after enucleation and in situ excision, respectively (P = 0.13). The preoperative diseas..