Heterologous, Human Donor Sclera as the Patch Graft in Glaucoma Drainage Device Surgery

Case series of scleral patch grafts during COVID-19 pandemic

“…Human scleral grafts are widely used in ophthalmic surgery as in ocular surface reconstruction after complicated filtering bleb surgery, in Ahmed glaucoma valve (AGV) implantation surgeries, buckle surgeries, post-pterygium surgery sclera melt, etc. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Preparation and processing of sclera are easy compared to corneal transplants, can be stored at least for 1 year, and thus can be used in such crisis or pandemic like COVID-19 times, where there is a scarcity of corneal tissue. [3,5,6] Heterogeneous sclera soaked in 5% povidone-iodine solution for 4 min and copiously rinsed with balanced salt solution, dry preserved in glycerol or in 100% ethyl alcohol, and subsequently trimmed in size after lamellar dissection with a crescent blade to fit into the required area of the ocular surface.…”

“…[1][2][3][4][5][6] Preparation and processing of sclera are easy compared to corneal transplants, can be stored at least for 1 year, and thus can be used in such crisis or pandemic like COVID-19 times, where there is a scarcity of corneal tissue. [3,5,6] Heterogeneous sclera soaked in 5% povidone-iodine solution for 4 min and copiously rinsed with balanced salt solution, dry preserved in glycerol or in 100% ethyl alcohol, and subsequently trimmed in size after lamellar dissection with a crescent blade to fit into the required area of the ocular surface. Routine tests to rule out human immunodeficiency virus, hepatitis B and hepatitis C are done.…”