DR. SONY SINHA

DR. PRATEEK NISHANT

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate performance of a recently established eye bank (EB). Methods: Retrospective observational study based on records of hospital cornea retrieval programme during first 2 years of EB establishment. Data on demographic characteristics of donors, death-preservation interval, specular microscopy parameters of corneas, indications for utilization, and reasons for non-utilization of corneas were collected. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: The EB retrieved 54 corneas from 27 donors with mean age 42.3 years. Half of transplantable tissues had an endothelial cell density (ECD) between 2,000 and 2,500 cells/sqmm. ECD decreased significantly with increasing age (Spearman's rho -0.747, P<0.001; Kruskal–Wallis P<0.001). Overall utilization rate of tissues was 87.04% (47/54), and utilizable corneas (50/54, 92.6%) were mainly used for optical purposes (34/50, 68%). Conclusion: Successful HCRP has shown considerable promise in terms of quality and utilisation of corneas.