Corneal Donation

Only a human donor cornea can alleviate another person's corneal blindness. Corneal transplant surgery would not be possible without the thousands of generous donors and their families who have donated eye tissue so that others may see.

The Lions Corneal Donation Service obtains, medically evaluates and distributes eyes donated by caring individuals for use in corneal transplantation. Eye banks are non-profit organisations. Eye donation is an opportunity to help restore someone's sight. Eye, organ, and tissue donation are consistent with the beliefs and attitudes of major religions.

The cornea is the clear surface at the front of the eye and is the main focusing element. Should the cornea become cloudy from disease, injury, infection or any other cause, vision will be dramatically reduced. A cornea 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.

The first Corneal Transplant was performed in 1905. The first corneal transplant in Victoria was performed in the 1940's. Except for blood transfusion it is the oldest and most common form of human transplantation. In Australia, approximately 1300 corneal transplants are performed every year. More than 90% of cornea transplant operations are successful. Data from the Australian Corneal Graft Registry (one of the largest of its kind in the world) indicate that the Australian one year transplant survival for all conditions transplanted is 91.2%. Some conditions such as keratoconus have even higher success rates (98.1%). Not only can the cornea can be transplanted, the white of the eye, the sclera, is used in reconstruction surgery.

The great thing about corneal tissue is that everyone is a universal donor. Your blood type doesn't have to match. It doesn't matter what color your eyes are or how good your eyesight is. Donor age is not as important as for other organs or tissues - most eye donors are aged in their 70's. Aside from those suffering from severe infections, haematological malignancies or a few highly communicable diseases such as HIV and hepatitis, most causes of death do not render people unsuitable as donors. However, the need for corneal tissue is never satisfied.

Donors and eyes are carefully evaluated. If consent for research and teaching has also ben obtained corneas determined to be unsuitable for transplant may be used for medical research and teaching. The entire eye may be used for research and education. Research on glaucoma, retinal disease, eye complications of diabetes and other sight disorder helps to advance the discovery of the cause and effects other conditions This then leads to new treatments and cures.

There is absolutely no cost to the donor family. It is illegal to buy or sell human eyes, organs, and tissues. Any costs associated with eye donation are absorbed by the Lions Corneal Donation Service. Nor is there any delay in funeral arrangements. Eye tissue procurement is performed within hours of death. Families may proceed with funeral arrangements without delay or interruption. Great care is taken to preserve the donor's appearance. Funeral arrangements, including a viewing if desired, may proceed as scheduled. Strict laws are in existence which protect the potential donor. Legal guidelines must be followed before death can be certified. The doctor certifying a patient's death is not involved with the eye donation or with the transplant. The gift of sight is made anonymously. Specific information about the donor family is not available to the recipient. The Lions Corneal Donation Service will convey a recipients thanks to the donor family and if asked facilitate anonymous correspondence.

Tell your next of kin. That is the single most important step you can take to ensure you will become a donor at the time of your death. If you have made or will be making pre-need funeral arrangements, you may wish to tell your funeral director. There is now also an opportunity to register your wishes with the Australian Organ Donor Registry.

Talk to your family about donation and make sure they know your wishes. Everyone's individual decision is valid and should be respected. But as you make your decision, keep in mind that you may one day need a transplant yourself. At the time you are waiting for that transplant, won't you be hoping that someone just like you has made the decision to donate?