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What
is the cornea?
The cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. It
is the main focusing element of the eye. Vision will be dramatically
reduced if the cornea becomes cloudy from disease, injury or infection.
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What
is corneal blindness?
Corneal blindness is a disorder that results from the cornea becoming
clouded, making a person blind. This condition can result from a
variety of diseases, injury or infection. Back
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What
is a corneal transplant?
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. Back to top
How
successful is corneal transplantation?
Over 90% of all corneal transplant operations successfully restore
the corneal recipient's vision. Back
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Why should eyes be donated?
There is no substitute for human tissue. The transplantation process
depends upon the priceless gift of corneal donation from one human
to the next. Donated human eyes and corneal tissue are used for
research, education, and transplantation. Back to
top
Who
can be a donor?
Anyone can. Cataracts, poor eyesight, or age do not prevent you
from being a donor. It is important for individuals wanting to be
donors to inform family members of their wishes. Back
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Will the quality of medical treatment
be affected if one is a known donor?
No. 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 is not involved with
the eye procurement or with the transplant. Back
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Will the recipient be told who donated
the corneas?
The gift of sight is made anonymously. Specific information about
the donor family is not available to the recipient. They eye bank
will convey a recipient's thanks to the donor family. Back
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Are
there religious objections to eye, organ, or tissue donations?
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. Back
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Is
there a fee charged for this donation?
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. Back to
top
Is there any delay in funeral arrangements?
No. Eye tissue procurement is performed within hours of death. Families
may proceed with funeral arrangements without delay or interruption.
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Will eye donation affect the appearance
of the donor?
No. Great care is taken to preserve the donor's appearance. Funeral
arrangements, including a viewing if desired, may proceed as scheduled.
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What
happens if corneas are not suitable for transplant?
The donors medical condition and the eyes are carefully evaluated.
Corneas determined to be unsuitable for transplant may be used for
medical research and teaching. Back
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What
is an eye bank?
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. Back
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How does the eye bank ensure safe
corneal tissue for transplantation?
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. EBAA provides standards for eye
banks to use in training personnel to evaluate donor eyes. Back
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