Eye Donation Facts

Donor eye tissue that is retrieved, processed and distributed by Heartland Lions Eye Banks restores sight at the rate of 7 cornea recipients a day. A cornea transplant may be required because of an eye disease, such as Fuch's dystrophy or keratoconus, or a corneal injury. In fact, on average, 46,000 transplants are performed each year in the U.S.
Almost anyone between the ages of 2 and 73 can be an eye donor, even if you have poor vision, diabetes or cancer.
For people living in states with first-person consent registries, simply registering through the state's online database will protect the donor's intent. A list of donor registries can be found at www.donatelife.net. In those states without first-person consent, legal next-of-kin of the potential donor must give consent before donor tissue can be retrieved, even if a donor card was signed by the deceased. An exception to this requirement would be made if the deceased had an advanced directive with the power of attorney specifying organ, tissue and eye donation decisions.
Under the following conditions, donation cannot occur: HIV or AIDS, Active Hepatitis, Active Syphilis, Rabies, Viral Encephalitis, Leukemia, Active Lymphoma, or Active Meningitis.
The cornea is the most commonly used part of the eye in transplant surgery. The sclera, or white protective part of the eye, can also be preserved and used to repair another patient's sclera, eardrum, nasal septum or gums.
The cornea gets its oxygen from the air as opposed to the bloodstream.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), under the Department of Health and Human Services, passed a federal regulation in 1998 requiring hospitals to notify organ banks each time a death occurs in the hospital. If hospitals do not comply with this regulation, they could lose their Medicare funding.
Over 95 percent of corneal transplants are successful.
Most major religions support organ, tissue and eye donation.