Histological, optical, biomechanical evaluations and in vitro immunological response in corneas discarded from eye banks.

• Grant number: 23/13344-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: September 30, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Silvano Mario Attilio Raia
• Grantee: Pedro Pires
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/11872-5 - Science for Development Center in Xenotransplantation, AP.CCD

Abstract

Corneal diseases are considered the fourth cause of blindness in the world, with keratoplasty being the classic treatment indicated in cases of severe corneal opacity. However, this procedure has disadvantages such as the risk of graft rejection and the limited availability of quality corneas. The national and global waiting lists for a cornea transplant exceed 20,000 and 12 million patients, respectively. The objective of this study is to evaluate the optical, histological and biomechanical properties of discarded eye bank corneas, as well as the in vitro immune response to the corneas.