Efficacy and safety of international donor sharing: a single-center, case-controlled study on corneal transplantation.

BACKGROUND: To overcome the shortage of donor corneas, we are currently using donor corneas supplied by foreign eye banks. This single-center, case-controlled study was conducted to show the efficacy and safety of corneal transplantation using corneas from foreign donors. METHODS: A retrospective, case-controlled comparison of 118 corneal transplants using foreign donor corneas (foreign group) and domestic donor corneas (domestic group) was performed. The two groups were matched according to original disease, age, severity of preoperative neovascularization, and history of previous grafting. Clinical outcome and incidence of postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The foreign group had a longer preservation-to-operation time than the domestic group, reflecting the longer transportation time. However, the incidence of clear grafts and postoperative complications such as immunologic rejection, infection, and glaucoma was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Corneal transplantations using foreign donor corneas are as effective and safe as those using domestic donor corneas, despite the longer preservation time.