Preserving the health of corneal tissue is an important part of preparing it for corneal transplantation. Researchers continue to explore ways to improve how donated corneas are stored before surgery, with the goal of supporting successful outcomes for recipients.
Led by Eversight’s Research & Development team with support from clinical teams, a new study, Development of Novel Corneal Storage Solution With Rho Kinase Inhibitor (ROCKi) HA-1077, examines one potential approach: supplementing Eversol, a hypothermic corneal storage solution, with the Rho kinase inhibitor HA-1077. The resulting formulation, EversolPlus, was evaluated for its stability, safety and effects on corneal tissue during 14 days of refrigerated storage.
The corneal endothelium is a layer of cells that helps maintain the cornea’s clarity by regulating its fluid balance. Endothelial cells are the crucial layer for DMEK and DSAEK surgeries. Protecting these cells is essential to maintaining the health and function of corneal tissue.
In this study, Eversight researchers investigated whether adding HA-1077 to Eversol could help support endothelial health during storage. They assessed corneal thickness, endothelial cell density and cell morphology over a 14-day period, comparing EversolPlus with both Eversol and Optisol-GS, an established corneal storage solution.
The team also examined how the supplemented solution performed when the corneal endothelium was intentionally injured in a laboratory setting.
The study produced encouraging results across several measures of corneal health.
Improved endothelial wound healing: Following controlled injury to the corneal endothelium, corneas incubated in an organ culture setting in media supplemented with HA-1077 demonstrated significantly better healing than the control group. This finding suggests the compound may help support endothelial recovery under the conditions tested.
Reduced corneal thickness during early storage: Corneas stored in EversolPlus had lower central corneal thickness measurements on days one and three compared with corneas stored in both Eversol and Optisol-GS. This difference may reflect improved support of corneal endothelial function.
Acceptable cell measurements throughout storage: Endothelial cell density and cell morphology remained within acceptable ranges across all study groups during the 14-day evaluation period.
Together, these findings suggest that supplementing a corneal storage solution with HA-1077 may offer benefits for maintaining corneal tissue health and nurturing endothelial cells during eye bank storage.
The study’s findings provide a foundation for continued investigation into how corneal storage solutions can better support donated tissue before transplantation. At Eversight, advancing research is an integral part of our mission to restore sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donation, transplantation and research.
Every advancement in understanding corneal health represents another opportunity to explore how research can help move the field forward—and how the generosity of donors and their families may continue to change lives through sight restoration.
Learn more about other ways Eversight is involved in exciting research focused on endothelial cells.