ABSTRACT.Purpose: To study metabolic changes of the human cornea during organ-culture. Morphological changes have been extensively studied, whereas changes in human corneal metabolism have not been investigated yet. Material and Methods: 106 human corneas were stored for 1, 7, 15, 18, 21 and 28 days in a closed-system under standard eyebank conditions. After storage, glucose, lactate, ATP, ADP and AMP concentrations were determined in each cornea. Results: Glucose concentration decreased during the first two weeks with a minimum on day 15. ATP and ADP concentrations increased during the same period of time, but had their minimum later, on day 18. Lactate increased during the culture period up to day 21 and decreased thereafter. Conclusion: From these data we conclude that the human cornea recovers during organ-culture, especially during the first two weeks. The changes occurring after a fortnight might be related to the artificial culture conditions. Nevertheless, the metabolic status is better than in post-mortem corneas. The changes may be partly avoided by changing the medium after at least two weeks of organ-culture.

From these data, we conclude that long-term organ culture in a closed system is limited to approximately 6 weeks and thereby confirm the clinical results of Früh and Böhnke.

Bioluminescence provides a highly sensitive quantification of adenosine phosphates in the human cornea and facilitates an extremely detailed evaluation of the metabolic status of the cornea.

The severe anaerobic situation in Optisol stored corneas leads to a lack in energy recruitment. This reduces the ability of cell function (mitosis) and the function of the monolayer (migration, elimination). Whether these changes are reversible after transplantation has to be determined in future.

The modified bioluminescence technique provides a highly sensitive quantification of glucose and lactate in the human cornea and thus reveals more details of the overall metabolic status of the tissue.