Processing, Preserving, and Transporting Corneal Tissue (HCPCS V2785)

Name of the Procedure:

Common Names: Corneal Tissue Banking, Corneal Preservation and Transport
Medical Terms: Corneal Processing, Corneal Preservation

Summary

This procedure involves the careful handling, preservation, and transportation of corneal tissue intended for transplantation. The process ensures the corneal tissue remains viable and sterile until it reaches the recipient in need of a corneal transplant.

Purpose

The primary goal is to maintain the quality and sterility of corneal tissue from the time it is harvested until it is transplanted. This helps address vision impairment caused by damaged or diseased corneas.

Indications

• Corneal scarring or injury
• Corneal dystrophies
• Keratoconus
• Fuchs' Dystrophy
• Patients with corneal blindness requiring transplantation

Preparation

• The donor's medical history is reviewed and tests are conducted to rule out transmittable diseases.
• The recipient may need pre-transplant evaluations, including eye examinations and systemic health assessments.

Procedure Description

1. Harvesting: Corneal tissue is carefully extracted from a deceased donor’s eye.
2. Processing: The tissue is assessed, cleaned, and treated with preservative solutions to maintain its viability.
3. Preserving: The corneal tissue is stored in a sterile, temperature-controlled environment.
4. Transporting: The preserved tissue is packed in sterile containers and transported under controlled conditions to the transplant location.

Tools and Equipment: Sterile instruments, preservative solutions, temperature-controlled storage units, sterile containers.
Anesthesia: Not applicable for this procedure, as it is performed on deceased donors.

Duration

The processing and preservation steps take a few hours. Transportation time varies depending on the distance between the tissue bank and the transplant center.

Setting

The procedure is usually conducted in specialized eye banks or tissue banks.

Personnel

• Ophthalmologists or trained eye bank technicians
• Tissue bank personnel
• Transport coordinators

Risks and Complications

• Infection
• Contamination
• Tissue degradation if not handled properly

Benefits

• Ensures high-quality corneal tissue for transplantation
• Increases the success rate of corneal transplants
• Improves recipient vision and quality of life

Recovery

For the donor's family: No recovery as tissue is harvested post-mortem.
For the recipient: Post-transplant care includes medication, follow-up visits, and possibly wearing protective eyewear.

Alternatives

• Synthetic corneal implants or keratoprosthesis
• Corneal cross-linking for keratoconus before it progresses to needing a transplant

Patient Experience

For the donor's family: No immediate experience post-mortem. Family may receive recognition for donation.
For the recipient: Improved vision post-transplant. Initial discomfort and need for follow-up care.