The organ-cultured cornea: an in vitro study.

A presentation of techniques for organ culture and an evaluation of the effects of organ culture on human and animal corneas is presented. The gross and microscopic appearance of cultured corneas, phase contrast microscopic study, and histopathology of organ-cultured corneas are discussed. These obseivations show that corneas can be stored in organ culture and that after prolonged in vitro preservation by this method remain grossly clear and appear to have extraordinary viability. Further application of the organ culture technique to study the cornea is discussed.