Clinical Ophthalmology (Dec 2022)
Effect of Covid-19 on Eye Banks and Corneal Transplantations: Current Perspectives
Abstract
Francesco Aiello,1 Gabriele Gallo Afflitto,1,2 Giulio Pocobelli,1 Diego Ponzin,3 Carlo Nucci1 1Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy; 2Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA; 3Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto, Venice, ItalyCorrespondence: Francesco Aiello, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, Rome, 00133, Italy, Email [email protected]: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic exerted a great impact on medical practice, which was reframed according to the actual needs. Ophthalmological services and procedures including corneal transplantation did not represent an exception. The adoption and implementation of new standard operating procedures as well as of new technologies for remote consultation and smart-working reshaped daily activities of both eye bankers, physicians, researchers, and patients. Regulatory restrictions were issued redefining corneal donor eligibility criteria, as well as handling and harvesting procedures of donor ocular tissues. Surgical schedules underwent an abrupt contraction with prioritization of urgent procedures. Local lockdowns and confinement strategies resulted in both a reduction and redirection of research activities. The evaluation of SARS-CoV-2 colonization of ocular tissues, long-term corneal storage techniques, new disinfection strategies, split corneal transplants and cell-based therapies for the treatment of corneal disease peaked in the pipeline. Aim of this article is to summarizes the overall impact of the pandemic on the corneal transplantation machinery, and the current and future perspectives for the corneal transplant community.Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, eye bank, cornea, cornea transplantation, cornea transplant, basic sciences
