Scientists develop system to store corneas longer

The revolutionary syst was developed by professors from the University of Missouri, and extends the current 14 day preservation window through a process known as cryopreservation.Aside from the potential implications for corneal transplants, the new technique would also allow samples to stay preserved longer for research into artificial corneal tissues.{{quote-A:R-W:450-I:2-Q: Limitations with current storage methods meant only 180,000 corneal transplants were performed each year, despite global dand sitting somewhere between 15-20 million. -WHO:Xu Han, Assistant Research Professor in the Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department at the University of Missouri}}Dr Fredrick Fraunfelder, chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology, and Professor Xu Han from the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering developed the technique whereby corneas are stored at a tperature of minus 90 degrees Celsius.It’s hoped the new preservation method will dramatically increase the chances of harvested corneas being used and exported for transplants, rather than going to waste.Han said limitations with current storage methods meant only 180,000 corneal transplants were performed each year, despite global dand sitting somewhere between 15-20 million.The American Medical Association reported that only nine countries worldwide have been known to export corneas.The corneas used for transplants are obtained from donors within 24 hours of death and are currently stored at between 2-8 degrees Celsius for up to 14 days.However, it can take a week to find a right match, which means there is typically not enough time for the cornea to reach the recipient.Additionally, Han explained, eye doctors often will not use corneas stored beyond seven days to avoid the risk of complications caused by tperature variations or other factors that occur during storage.Fraunfelder said they are planning to patent the method and get the syst to market within a year.