 Q:
Who can be an eye donor?
A: Anyone. Cataracts, poor eyesight or age do not prohibit you
from becoming a donor. Prospective donors should indicate their
intention on donor cards and driver's licenses. It is important
for individuals wanting to be donors to inform family members
of their wishes to help ensure that their desires are fulfilled.
Q: Why should eyes be donated?
A: Donated human eyes and corneal tissue are necessary for
the preservation and restoration of sight and are used for
transplantation, research and education. Over 90 percent of
the more than 43,700 corneal transplant operations performed
each year successfully restore vision to persons suffering
from corneal problems.
Q: What is the Cornea?
A: 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, infection, or any other
cause, vision will be dramatically reduced.
Q: What is a corneal transplant?
A: A corneal transplant is the surgical procedure which replaces
a disc- shaped segment of an impaired cornea with a similarly
shaped piece of a healthy donor cornea. More than 90 percent
of corneal transplant operations successfully restore the
corneal recipient's vision.
Q: How prevalent is corneal transplantion?
A: Corneal transplants are the most frequently performed human
transplant procedure. In 1994, there were more corneal transplants
than all organ transplants combined. In the last 15 years,
more than 477,800 corneal transplants have been performed,
restoring sight to men, women and children ranging in age
from nine days to 103 years.
Q: How soon after a donation must
a cornea be transplanted?
A: A corneal transplant is usually performed within three
to seven days after donation, depending upon the method of
corneal preservation used.
Q: Can the whole eye be transplanted?
A: No. Only the cornea can be transplanted. However, the entire
eye is used for valuable research and education.
Q: How great is the need for corneas?
A: Although more than 43,700 corneal transplants were performed
in America in 1994, the need is never satisfied. Despite this
number of surgeries, there are in excess of 5,000 people on
waiting lists throughout the country. These people are blind
for no reason other than a shortage of available donor tissue.
To date, the use of artificial corneal tissue for transplantation
has been unsuccessful.
Q: What is an Eye Bank?
A: An eye bank is a non-profit organization often associated
with a hospital or university. An eye bank obtains, medically
evaluates and distributes eyes which are donated by humanitarian
minded citizens, for use in corneal transplantation, research
and education. To ensure patient safety, the donated eyes
and the donor's medical history are evaluated by the eye bank
in accordance with the Eye Bank Association of America's (EBAA)
strict Medical Standards.
Q: What happens if the corneas are
not suitable for transplant?
A: All donors and eyes are carefully evaluated, Should the
corneas be determined unsuitable for transplant, they can
be used for research and education.
Q: How do research and education
benefit from eye donations?
A: In addition to corneas used for surgical procedures, more
than 38,000 eyes are used annually for research and education.
Research on glaucoma, retinal disease, eye complications of
diabetes and other sight disorders, benefits from donations
because many eye problems cannot be simulated. These studies
advance the discovery of the causes and effects of specific
eye conditions which leads to new treatments and cures.
Q: Are there religious conflicts
to eye, organ, or tissue donation?
A: No. donation is a gift of life, or sight, to others. As
such, eye, organ, and tissue donation are consisent with beliefs
and attitudes of major religions.
Q: Will eye donation affect the
appearance of the donor?
A: No. Great care is taken to preserve the appearance of the
donor. No one will be able to see that anything has been done.
Families may proceed with funeral arrangements, including
a viewing if so desired.
Q: Is there any delay in funeral
arrangements?
A: No. Eye tissue procurement is performed within hours after
death, so families may proceed as planned with funeral arrangements.
Q: Will the donor's family pay or
receive any fees?
A: No. It is illegal to buy or sell human eyes, organs and
tissues. Any costs associated with eye procurement are absorbed
by the eye bank.
Q: Will the quality of medical treatment
be affected if one is a known donor?
A: Absolutely not. Strict laws are in existence which protect
the potential donor. Legal guidelines must be followed before
death can be certified. The physician certifying a patient's
death cannot be involved in any way with the eye procurement
or with the transplant.
Q: Will the recipients or donor
families be told who donated the corneas?
A: No. The gift of sight is made anonymously. Specific information
about the donor or donor family is not available to the recipient.
Q: What do I need to do to become
a donor?
A: Most importantly, tell your family of your wishes. Most
states now require that families be offered the option of
donation at the time of the death of a loved one. Families
may give consent for donation. It is most helpful if they
know how you feel. You also need to complete the back of your
driver's liscense and you may obtain a donor card from you
local eye bank or EBAA.
Q: Should eye donation be included
in a will?
A: No, because the eyes must be used long before a will can
be probated. However, the time of making a will is a good
time to discuss eye, organ and tissue donation with family
members. The discussion with your next of kin and signing
a donor card are the most important factors in making sure
your wishes are respected.
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