Below are a list of frequently asked questions. If you do not find the answer to your question here, please feel free to contact us directly for further information.
Why be a eye donor?
Who can be an eye donor?
What is an eye bank?
What is the cornea?
Who needs a cornea transplant?
What is a cornea transplant?
Will the quality of medical treatment be affected if one is known to be donor?
Will the donor family pay or receive any fees for donation?
What does my church think about donation?
Will the recipients be told who donated the corneas?
If I am an eye donor, can I still have an open casket funeral?
How does research and education benefit from eye donation?
Isn't having a "D" code on my driver's license or carrying a donor card enough to make me a donor?
Why be an eye donor?
Every year more than 46,000 people have their sight restored through cornea transplantation and hundreds of thousands are helped through important research to find cures for other blinding diseases. In addition to the cornea, the sclera (white part of your eye) can also be used for ocular graft surgery in the treatment of cancer and other diseases. One eye donor can help up to 10 people through transplanted tissue. Today, cornea transplant surgery has a success rate that exceeds 95%.
Who can be an eye donor?
Anyone. Cataracts, poor eyesight, or age does not prohibit eye donation.
What is an Eye Bank?
An eye bank obtains, medically evaluates and distributes eyes donated by caring individuals for use in cornea transplantation, research, and education. Eye banks are non-profit organizations.
What is the cornea?
The cornea is the clear surface at the front of the eye. It is the main focusing element of the eye. Should the cornea become cloudy from disease, injury, or any other cause, vision will be dramatically reduced.
Who needs a cornea transplant?
People need transplants for many reasons. A transplant may be necessary because of cornea failure due to hereditary problems such as Fuchs' dystrophy or Keratoconus, a steep curving of the cornea. It might also be required due to scarring after injury or infection.
What is a cornea transplant?
A cornea transplant is the surgical procedure which replaces a disc shaped segment of an impaired cornea with a similarly shaped piece of healthy donor cornea.
Will the quality of medical treatment be affected if one is known to be a donor?
The number one priority in the healthcare setting is to save your life. Donation can only be considered after death with the permission of your family members. In fact, prior to death, transplant physicians are not involved in your care.
Will the donor family pay or receive any fees for donation?
No. Any costs associated with eye donation are absorbed by the eye bank. It is illegal to buy or sell human eyes, organs, and tissues.
What does my church think about donation?
Most major religions support donation and consider donation a great gift. Others leave the decision up to the individual without fear of going against the church's teachings.
Will the recipients be told who donated the corneas?
No. The gift of sight is made anonymously. Specific information about the donor or donor family is not available to the recipient. However, the eye bank does encourage recipients to write a letter of thanks to the donor family. The Eye Bank can help you do this.
If I am an eye donor, can I still have an open casket funeral?
Yes. Great care is taken to preserve the appearance of the donor. Any funeral option is available to the family, including a viewing.
How does research and education benefit from eye donation?
Research on glaucoma, retinal disease, eye complications of diabetes and other sight disorders rely on human eye donations because many eye problems cannot be simulated in a laboratory environment. These studies advance the discovery of the causes and effects of these conditions, therefore leading to new treatments and cures.
Isn't having a "D" code on my driver's license or carrying a donor card enough to make me a donor?
No. Your family will be asked upon your death what your donation wishes are. The only way to ensure your donation wishes will be fulfilled is talking to your family about donation.
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