Provided are surprisingly effective methods for assessing corneal tissue quality, comprising: incubating corneal tissue in hypothermic corneal storage media to a temperature above ambient temperature； and assessing, using suitable microscopic examination, endothelial cell density and/or morphology and/or loss. The methods may additionally comprise； storing the corneal tissue in the hypothermic storage media at a temperature in the range of 2-8° C. prior to assessing the corneal tissue above ambient temperature. The methods may involve initially assessing corneal tissue quality at ambient temperature prior to assessing at a temperature above ambient temperature, with intermediate storage at 2-8° C.
