Frequently Asked Question's
What is the cornea?
What is corneal blindness?
What is the corneal transplant?
Is the whole eye transplanted?
How common is the corneal transplant?
How successful is the corneal transplant?
Why should someone want to donate their eyes?
Who can be an eye donor?
If a person has signed a donor card or a driver’s license, how can they be sure that their wishes
regarding donation will be carried out?
How great is the need for corneas?
Will the quality of medical treatment be affected if one is a donor?
Will the family of the donor know who received their loved ones corneas?
Are there religious objections to eye donation?
Is there a fee associated with eye donation?
Is there any delay in funeral arrangements?
Why are the families of potential donors asked so quickly if they would like to donate? Can’t
the question be asked at a later time?
Will eye donation affect the appearance of the donor?
What happens if the corneas are not suitable for transplant?
How do researchers use donated eyes?
What is an eye bank?
How does the eye bank ensure safe corneal tissue for transplantation?
I have/had cancer, can I still donate my eyes?
I belong to a civic group that is interested in your cause, how can we help?
What is the cornea?
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface at the front of the eye. It is the main focusing mechanism of the eye.
What is corneal blindness?
Corneal blindness is a visual impairment that is caused when the cornea becomes clouded, scarred, or misshapen. This
condition may be the result of injury, infection or disease.
What is the corneal transplant?
The transplant is a surgical procedure which replaces a diseased or non-functional cornea with a new, healthy donor
cornea.
Is the whole eye transplanted?
No, only the cornea is transplanted; however sections of sclera (the white, fibrous shell of the eye), can be used
to mend punctured eyes or be used for other surgical purposes.
How common is the corneal transplant?
The corneal transplant is the most frequently performed human transplant procedures performed. Since 1960, more
than 500,000 corneal transplants have been performed, restoring sight to men women and children ranging in age
from one day to 103 years.
How successful is the corneal transplant?
Approximately 94% off all corneal transplant operations successfully restore the corneal recipient’s vision.
Why should someone want to donate their eyes?
There is no substitute for human tissue. The transplantation process depends upon the priceless gift of corneal
donation. Eyes are needed for transplantation as well as for research and education. Without corneal donors, those
in need would not receive the gift of sight.
Who can be an eye donor?
Anyone can be an eye donor. Cataracts, poor eye sight, and other similar conditions would not prohibit you from
being an eye donor. It is important for individuals wanting to be donors to inform their family members of their
wishes.
If a person has signed a donor card or a driver’s license, how can they be
sure that their wishes regarding donation will be carried out?
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.
How great is the need for corneas?
Although more than 44,000 corneal transplants were performed in North America last year, the need for corneal tissue
is never satisfied.
Will the quality of medical treatment be affected if one is a donor?
Strict laws protect the potential donor. The attending physician involved would not be involved with the donation
process. It is only after the donor’s death that the family will be asked to donate their loved ones eyes.
Will the family of the donor know who received their loved ones corneas?
The gift of sight is made anonymously. Identifying information about the donor or donor’s family is not available to
the recipient. If the donor’s family or recipient wishes to send correspondence, the eye bank will convey the
messages with permission from the receiving party.
Are there religious objections to eye donation?
No. Donation is an opportunity to help save a life or restore someone’s sight. As such, eye, organ and tissue
donation is consistent with the beliefs of all major religions.
Is there a fee associated with eye donation?
It is illegal to buy or sell human eyes, organs, and tissues. Any costs associated with procurement are absorbed by
the organization which retrieves the tissue.
Is there any delay in funeral arrangements?
Eye procurement is performed within hours of death, so families may proceed with funeral arrangements without delay
or interruption.
Why are the families of potential donors asked so quickly if they would like
to donate? Can’t the question be asked at a later time?
We, at Mid South Eye Bank, understand that losing a loved one is a most stressful and sorrowful time; however to
ensure that healthy cells in the cornea remain viable; the recovery must take place as soon as possible. The time
limit for recovery of just a few hours is recommended. Most families are also comforted in knowing that out of
something so tragic, a wonderful and selfless act may result.
Will eye donation affect the appearance of the donor?
Great care is taken to preserve the appearance of the donor. Funeral arrangements, including a viewing (open casket)
may proceed as scheduled.
What happens if the corneas are not suitable for transplant?
After recovery, corneal tissue is carefully evaluated at Mid South Eye Bank’s laboratory. Corneas determined to be
unsuitable for transplant may be used for research and teaching.
How do researchers use donated eyes?
Donated eyes are vital to the work of researchers studying the causes and treatment of eye disease such as glaucoma,
retinal disease, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease. This research will eventually lead to the discovery
of ways to prevent and cure these devastating and debilitating diseases.
What is an eye bank?
An eye bank recovers, evaluates and distributes eyes donated for corneal transplant, research, and education.
Currently, there are 88 eye banks in the United States. Mid South Eye Bank is the 2nd oldest eye bank in the country
founded in 1946. Mid South Eye Bank is a fully accredited member of the Eye Bank Association of America.
How does the eye bank ensure safe corneal tissue for transplantation?
The donated eyes and the donor’s medical history are carefully evaluated by the eye bank. With the recipient’s safety
in mind, only corneas that have met strict evaluation guidelines set forth by Mid South Eye Bank are distributed.
I have/had cancer, can I still donate my eyes?
There are certain cancers that do not affect your decision to be an eye donor such as brain, breast, bone and cancers
affecting other organs. Lymphoma and leukemia do, however, limit your ability to donate your eyes with the intention
of transplantation only. Researchers and educators often use this ocular tissue for the purpose of helping others
with these diseases and the associated ocular problems. If you have or had cancer, please discuss your wish to donate
either for education or transplant with your family.
I belong to a civic group that is interested in your cause, how can we help?
Mid South Eye Bank has a development department to assist you in your needs. Organizations that are interested in
speakers should email our development/education department to schedule a speaker. Donated eye glasses are also
collected to help others less fortunate see their world a little clearer. Monetary contributions are very much
appreciated. Our non-profit organization relies on public support to continue our work. For tax-identification
numbers, please contact our development department or call our office for more information. Monetary and other
contributions are fully deductible according to IRS guidelines and standards.