Comparison of Donor Cornea Endothelial Cell Density Determined by Eye Banks and by a Central Reading Center in the Cornea Preservation Time Study

Purpose: To evaluate agreement between eye banks (EBs) and a reading center on endothelial cell density (ECD) determinations in the Cornea Preservation Time Study. Methods: The Cornea Image Analysis Reading Center (CIARC) performed variable frame image analysis on EB-obtained–preoperative central endothelial images (after lamellar dissection for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty by the EBs or before shipping, if surgeon prepared) to determine ECD. The EBs performed their usual method of ECD determination. The CIARC and EBs also provided ECD determinations from screening central endothelial images taken by the EBs during donor evaluation. Two independent masked CIARC readers determined ECD with measurements averaged. Results: The mean preoperative ECD was 15 cells/mm2 greater by the EBs than by CIARC (N = 1286, P 10% and 164 (13%) lower by>10%. Excellent agreement appeared between the EBs and CIARC when 100–300 cells could be analyzed in contrast to
Source: Cornea - Category: Opthalmology Tags: Clinical Science Source Type: research