Changing trend in the utilisation rate of donated corneas for keratoplasty in the UK: The North East England Study

Abstract

Purpose To report the changing trend in the utilisation rate of donated corneas for keratoplasty and to examine the reasons for unutilised corneas in the North East of England. Methods Relevant data were retrospectively collected from a local eye retrieval database and the UK Transplant Registry for two separate years; namely, 2006 and 2010. Results The utilisation rate of donated corneas for keratoplasty improved from 57% (52/92) in 2006 to 71% (220/312) in 2010 (P=0.012). Over the same period, there was a marked reduction of failed serological test results from 24% (22/92) to 5% (14/312) (P<0.001). The leading reasons for unutilised corneas were failed serological test results (22/92, 24%) in 2006 and inadequate tissue quality (23/312, 7%) in 2010. The rate of tissue contamination remained similar between 2006 (4%) and 2010 (6%) (P=0.80). Eleven (4%) corneas were not transplanted due to recipient-related factors in 2010. Donor corneas of inadequate tissue quality were associated with older age (P=0.04) but not with gender, donation site, consent method, death-to-enucleation interval, death-to-processing interval, and storage time in the eye bank. Conclusion There was a substantial improvement in the utilisation rate of corneas donated in the North East of England between 2006 and 2010. The principal reason was a reduction in failed serological test results. High donor age was associated with increased chance of corneas not being used. Utilisation rate of corneas can be further improved if potential modifiable factors are addressed, such as recipient-related factors and microbial contamination.