Abstract
To investigate the de-orientation effect of DSAEK grafts by observing the cross patterns and polarization power of human donor corneas using a polarizing device (Lumaxis®). Forty human donor corneas were placed in small petri-plates with epithelial side facing up. Polarizing power (arbitrary unit) and crosses were monitored and recorded by the software. The tissue was marked at ‘Superior’ position to ensure that the base and the polarizer are in alignment with each other after the cut. The anterior lamellar cut was performed using microkeratome. The lenticule was placed back in the same position as marked to mimic the alignment. The tissue was further rotated by 45° ensuring that the base of the cornea and the polarizer were in alignment. The polarization power and ‘crosses’ were identified at each step. The average of forty corneas from pre-cut to post-45° angular change showed statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of polarizing power. The cross-shaped pattern deformed and lost the sharpness towards 45° angle. However, multiple variances in terms of ‘cross-patterns’ were observed throughout the study. Lumaxis® was able to determine the worst quality tissue in terms of polarization (no black zone and crosses). Despite the quality of cross pattern which can be used as an additional objective parameter to evaluate the optical properties of the corneal tissue, this preliminary study needs to be further justified in terms of clinical relevance whether polarization changes with oriented or de-oriented grafts have any effects and consequences on the visual acuity.
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Acknowledgments
The authors do not have any acknowledgements. Authors MP, AR, GS, SF, HE and DP are employed by the Veneto Eye Bank Foundation and author EL is a self funded author who also is the owner of the described device.
Author contributions
MP, AR and GS participated in the design of the study, experiments and analysis, MP, SF, HE, DP and EL participated in the design of the study, interpretation and statistics and drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Mr. Eugenio Lipari, Phronema srl, is the owner of the patented Lumaxis® technology with the patent numbers PCT/IB2013/058263 and PCT/IB2014/063482. Mr. Lipari has potential financial conflict of interest. All the authors from the Veneto Eye Bank Foundation have no financial conflicts.
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Parekh, M., Ruzza, A., Ferrari, S. et al. Polarization of human donor corneas. Cell Tissue Bank 17, 233–239 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-016-9546-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10561-016-9546-9