Endothelial density analysis by age group of corneal donors in an eye bank in Paraná State, Brazil

Abstract Objective: To analyze the endothelial density of corneas donated for transplant in different age groups. Methods: The study evaluated 244 corneas from 122 male and female donors in Cascavel Eye Bank -PR from the analysis of medical records containing specular microscopy of the donors. Results: Most corneal donors were male (67.2%). The average donors age was 53.8 years, ranging from 5 to 70 years. The age group of 61 -70 years with the largest number of donations, corresponding to almost 41% and the average endothelial density was 2645 cells / mm² (ranging from 1897 to 4201 cells / mm²). In the first decade of life, mean endothelial density was 2923 cells mm²; in the second decade 2757 cells / mm²; in the third 2846 cells / mm²; in the fourth 2627 cells / mm²; in the fifth decade, 2830 cells / mm²; on the sixth 2605 cells / mm² and on the seventh decade of life 2570 cells / mm². Conclusion: This study demonstrated that the mean endothelial density of corneas donated for transplant of the first decade of life (2923 cells / mm²) when compared to the seventh decade alone (2570 cells / mm²) was reduced. In the evaluation from the second to the sixth decade, there was no pattern, sometimes there was an increase, sometimes a decrease in the average endothelial density.