Frequently Asked Questions

What is an eye bank? Return to Top

An eye bank obtains, medically evaluates and distributes eyes donated by caring individuals for use in corneal transplantation, research, and education. Eye banks are non-profit organizations.

What is the cornea? Return to Top

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.

Who can be an eye donor? Return to Top

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. Some medical conditions pose a problem for transplantation and a hazard for medical personnel. An extensive review of the donor's medical, family, and social history is conducted as well as detailed examinations of the donor eyes and corneas. Some donated eyes are rejected as unsuitable for transplantation; however, efforts are made to place this tissue with research and educational programs when and where appropriate.

What is a corneal transplant? Return to Top

This is a surgical procedure which replaces a disc-shaped segment of an impaired cornea with a similarly shaped piece of a healthy donor cornea.

Why should eyes be donated? Return to Top

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% of the more than 40,000 corneal transplant operations performed each year successfully restore vision to persons suffering from corneal problems.

How prevalent is corneal transplantation? Return to Top

Corneal transplant is one of the most frequently performed human transplant procedures. Since 1961, more than 700,000 corneal transplants have been performed, restoring sight to men, women, and children ranging in age from nine days to 103 years.

How soon after a donation must a cornea be transplanted? Return to Top

Recovery of the donor eye tissue takes place within hours of death. A corneal transplant is performed within 3-5 days after donation and depends on medical issues.

Is the whole eye transplanted? Return to Top

No. Only the cornea can be transplanted. The entire eye may be used for research and education.

How great is the need for corneas? Return to Top

Although more than 40,000 corneal transplants were performed in North America last year, the need for corneal tissue is never satisfied. To date, the use of artificial tissue for transplantation has been unsuccessful.

The eye bank, with a statewide network of caring professionals, volunteers and hospitals, has helped restore sight in thousands of patients through cornea transplantation. In 2008, 1471 eyes were donated to the eye bank for transplantation, research, and education. 690 transplants were performed, or almost 3 transplants per day, every day of the year.

What happens if corneas are not suitable for transplant? Return to Top

Donors and eyes are carefully evaluated. Corneas determined to be unsuitable for transplant may be used for medical research and teaching.

How do research and education benefit from eye donation? Return to Top

Research on glaucoma, retinal disease, eye complications of diabetes, corneal wound healing, and other sight disorders helps to advance the discovery of the cause and effects of these conditions. This then leads to new treatments and cures. Research donor eyes are made available to a number of established research programs at the University of Wisconsin (Madison) and the Medical College of Wisconsin (Milwaukee). Education of staff, medical residents, and surgeons is conducted using donated eyes. The training of new surgeons is also enhanced by established surgeons developing new surgical techniques.

Are there religious objections to eye, organ, or tissue donations? Return to Top

No. Donation is an opportunity to help save a life or restore someone's sight. Eye, organ, and tissue donation are consistent with the beliefs and attitudes of major religions.

Will eye donation affect the appearance of the donor? Return to Top

No.

Is there any delay in funeral arrangements? Return to Top

No. Eye tissue procurement is performed within hours of death. Families may proceed with funeral arrangements without delay or interruption.

Is there a fee charged for this donation? Return to Top

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 placing the tissue.

Will the quality of medical treatment be affected if one is a known donor? Return to Top

No. Strict laws exist to protect the potential donor. Legal guidelines must be followed before death can be certified. The physician certifying a patient's death is not involved with the eye procurement or with the transplant.

Will the recipient be told who donated the corneas? Return to Top

The gift of sight is made anonymously. Specific information about the donor family is not available to the recipient. The eye bank will convey a recipient's thanks to the donor family.

If a person has already signed a donor card or a driver's license, how can they be sure that their wishes regarding donation will be respected? Return to Top

Tell your family you want to be an eye donor. Next-of-kin consent is required for donation, so it is helpful if your family knows ahead of time how you feel about it. Eye donation should not be included in a will as the eyes must be used long before a will can be probated. Nevertheless, the time of making a will is a good time to discuss eye, organ, and tissue donation with family members.

How does the eye bank ensure safe corneal tissue for transplantation? Return to Top

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. The EBAA provides standards for eye banks to use in training personnel to evaluate donor eyes. The EBAA is a non-profit organization of eye banks dedicated to the restoration of sight through the promotion and advancement of eye banking. Established in 1961 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology's Committee on Eye Banks, EBAA's member eye banks are located in 43 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada. As the oldest transplant organization, the EBAA has led the transplantation field with the establishment of medical standards for the procurement and distribution of eyes, and comprehensive training and certification programs for technicians. These standards and certification programs have been used as models for other transplant organizations.