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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Editorial

A Call to Action: Launching the International Journal of Eye Banking

Global Perspectives

The Evolution of Eye Banking in the United States: Landmarks in the History of the Eye Bank Association of America

European Eye Bank Association: Past, Present, and Future

Literature Review

Eye Banking in the 21st Century: How Far Have We Come? Are We Prepared for What’s Ahead?

Original Research

A Prospective, Randomized Trial of DSAEK Outcomes Comparing Different Donor Preparation Devices

Temporal Variability in the Number of Medically Eligible Corneas Released for Glycerol Preservation: the Global Sight Network Experience

Screening Potential Cornea Donors with Signs Indicating Possible Sepsis

Picture Challenge

Picture Challenge: What is This?

Temporal Variability in the Number of Medically Eligible Corneas Released for Glycerol Preservation: the Global Sight Network Experience

Authors

Christine A. Curcio, PhD, April Gilbert, CEBT, Ellen Kerns, CEBT, Alan S. Blake, CEBT

Keywords

cornea transplantation, eye banks, glaucoma surgery, keratoplasty

Abstract

CONTEXT: The Global Sight Network (GSN) is a consortium of 31 United States eye banks that repurpose medically eligible corneas unsuitable for penetrating or endothelial keratoplasty for other surgeries by preservation in glycerol.

OBJECTIVE: Corneas received from partner eye banks from 2008-2011 were analyzed for demographics and timing of tissue release to GSN.

METHODS: Tissues were divided into 2 classes, those that were deemed unsuitable due to low endothelial cell density, stromal scar, or small central clear zone (Lower Quality), and those that could not be placed before the 14-day expiration of intermediate storage medium (Unable to Place).

RESULTS: Analysis for weekly variations in availability indicated that Lower-Quality tissues were released more consistently across days of the week than Unable-to-Place tissues, which were released more frequently on Mondays and Thursdays. Analysis for seasonal variations in availability indicated that Lower-Quality and Unable-to-Place tissues were modulated by different factors, beyond overall death rate.

CONCLUSIONS: This analysis of medically eligible corneas released for glycerol preservation has suggested that United States eye banks efficiently manage their tissue recovery rates in meeting domestic needs and revealed new opportunities for tissue placement. The results of the present study also point to new opportunities for tissue placement, including glaucoma therapy and even emergent needs for keratoplasties in international settings.

References

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