Donor Related Factors Influencing Corneal Graft Survival in Western India

Objective: To evaluate the donor-related factors influencing corneal graft survival following penetrating keratoplasty (PK) in Western India. Methods: A prospective study of 40 patients undergoing PK for corneal opacity and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy was conducted. Donor-related parameters including age, sex, cause of death, death-to-enucleation time, preservation media, and environmental factors were analyzed. Surgical outcomes were assessed in terms of graft clarity, survival, and complications. Results: Donor age and sex had no significant effect on graft survival. Donor cornea size >8 mm was associated with increased risk of graft failure. Preservation technique (moist chamber vs MK medium) showed no significant difference, although MK medium grafts had slower postoperative recovery. Shorter death-to-enucleation times showed trends toward better survival. Infections were associated with corneas procured from home settings. At 24 months, 52.5% of grafts remained clear. Conclusion: Optimizing donor corneal utilization requires strict aseptic techniques, proper preservation, and enhanced postoperative compliance. Donor age, sex, and short death-to-enucleation intervals do not significantly affect graft clarity, while graft size >8 mm increases risk of failure.