{
  "abstract": "Purpose This study aims to evaluate a novel Animal-Derivative-Free Medium (ADFM, AL.CHI.MI.A. S.R.L., Italy) for corneal culture at 31°C for up to 28 days, compared to the standard organ culture and deswelling phase used in the Eye Banking process.Methods Fifteen donor corneas (n=15), unsuitable for transplantation, were recovered in an eye bank hypothermic medium (FBOV) for a maximum of 72 hours. These corneas were then transferred into ADFM and stored at 31°C for up to 28 days (25–28 days, n=11). As controls, four corneas (n=4) were stored in the corneal culture medium Tissue-C (AL.CHI.MI.A. S.R.L.) at 31°C for 21 days, followed by 2 days of storage at room temperature in the transport deswelling medium Carry-C (AL.CHI.MI.A. S.R.L.).Endothelial cell density (ECD), central corneal thickness (CCT), and corneal transparency were measured using light microscopy, optical coherence tomography, and a lux meter at 0 and 23 days of storage for the control group, and at 0, 7, 14, 21 days and the final timepoint (25–28 days) for the ADFM group. Additionally, ECD, hexagonality (HEX%), and coefficient of variation (CV%) were evaluated using specular microscopy at the same time intervals.Results Similar ECD values were observed in corneas stored in both conditions over time. Additionally, corneal endothelial cell viability and morphology parameters, including CV% and HEX%, remained stable in the ADFM group throughout the entire storage period at 31°C. In the ADFM group, CCT maintained a mean value within the physiological range (500–600 µm) until the final timepoint at 31°C, without the need for a final deswelling step. In the control group, CV% and HEX% measurements were only feasible in corneas stored in the Carry-C transport medium.Conclusions The novel animal-derivative-free medium (ADFM) formulation is a safe and effective option for corneal culture at 31°C, maintaining corneal quality and physiological thickness for up to 28 days of storage without the need for a final deswelling step. Moreover, ADFM demonstrated its effectiveness despite the absence of animal derivatives, simplifying the Eye Bank processes and enhancing the safety profile of the device.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Research and Development, AL.CHI.MI.A. SRL, Ponte San Nicolò, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Laura Giurgola"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Research and Development, AL.CHI.MI.A. SRL, Ponte San Nicolò, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Umberto Rodella"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Veneto Eye Bank Foundation, Venice, Italy",
        "University of Ferrara, Ferrara, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Moreno Piaia"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Research and Development, AL.CHI.MI.A. SRL, Ponte San Nicolò, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Claudio Gatto"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Research and Development, AL.CHI.MI.A. SRL, Ponte San Nicolò, Italy"
      ],
      "name": "Jana D’Amato Tóthová"
    }
  ],
  "title": "6.3. Innovations in organ culture: performance of a novel animal – derivatives – free medium at 31°",
  "uid": "1a74ce91-f8b3-5e82-af56-6964c626888d"
}