The North Carolina Eye Bank
In 2008 The North Carolina Eye Bank (NCEB) was credited with 3,440 transplants, a 71.1% increase from 2007.
Total donations from NCEB in 2008 reached 5,803, a 54% increase from 2007.
A total of 651 tissues were provided for research and training.
Eye Donation Facts
Over 90% of all corneal transplant operations successfully restore the recipient's vision!
For every one solid-organ donor in the United States, there are 10 individuals who donate their eyes and tissue.
In 2007, 50,122 corneal grafts were supplied by US eye banks. The gift of sight was donated by over 41,000 donors; 10,731 corneas were exported to foreign countries.
Eye Banks have successfully met the U.S. need for corneal and sclera tissue for several years. There are no patient waiting lists at this time.
Each year in the United States more than 50,000 people have their sight restored through cornea transplantation and hundreds of thousands are helped through important research to find cures for other blinding diseases.
Source: The Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA)
