General Questions |
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What is the cornea? |
The cornea is the clear surface at the front of the eye. It is the main focusing element of the eye. Should the cornea become cloudy from disease, injury, infection or any other cause, vision can be dramatically reduced. |
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What is a corneal transplant? |
A corneal transplant is the surgical procedure which replaces a disk-shaped segment of an impaired cornea with a similarly shaped piece of a healthy donor cornea. More than 90 percent of corneal transplant operations successfully restore the corneal recipient's vision. |
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What does an eye bank do? |
An eye bank is a not-for-profit organization which obtains, medically evaluates, processes, and distributes eyes donated by caring individuals for use in corneal transplantation, research, and education. |
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How do research and education benefit from eye donation? |
In addition to corneas used for surgical procedures, tens of thousands of eyes are used annually for research and education. Research on glaucoma, retinal disease, eye complications of diabetes and other sight disorders, benefit from donation because many eye problems cannot be simulated. These studies advance the discovery of the causes and effects of specific eye conditions which lead to new treatments and cures. |
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What happens if the corneas are not suitable for transplant? |
All donors are carefully evaluated. Should the corneas be determined unsuitable for transplant, they can be used for research and education. |
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Donor FAQs |
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Who can be a donor? |
Anyone. Cataracts, poor eyesight or age do not prohibit you from becoming a donor. Prospective donors should indicate their intention on their driver's licenses. Also, It is important for individuals wanting to be donors to inform family members of their wishes to help ensure that their desires are fulfilled. Go to http://www.donatelifenc.org and sign up to be a donor. |
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What do I need to do to become a donor? |
How to Become a Donor
1. Sign up at the Department of Motor Vehicles and put the heart on your license
2. Go to http://www.donatelifenc.org and sign up to be a donor
3. Indicate your wishes in advance directives
4. Most importantly share your wish to donate with your family! |
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I have cancer, can I still be an eye donor? |
Yes. Most forms of cancer do not preclude use of donor corneas for transplantation. |
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Am I too old / young to be an eye donor? |
No. There is generally a use for eyes of any age. Please allow The North Carolina Eye Bank the opportunity to enhance the lives of others through transplantation or research. |
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Does it matter if the donor wears eye glasses or has other eye problems? |
No. Previous eye surgery or diseases of the eye do not automatically disqualify donation. |
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Does eye donation affect funeral arrangements or open casket viewings? |
No. Eye tissue recovery is performed within hours after death. Families may proceed normally with funeral arrangements including open casket viewings. |
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Does it cost the donor family to donate their loved-one's eyes? |
No. It costs the donor family nothing to donate eyes, organs, or tissue. The retrieving eye, organ or tissue organization pays the entire cost. The donor family receives no reimbursement. Furthermore, it is illegal to buy or sell human eyes, organs or tissue in the USA. |
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Will the recipient be told who donated the cornea or the donor family told the identity of the recipient? |
Generally, no. The Gift of Sight is made anonymously. Information about the donor or donor family is not made available to the recipient and likewise, recipient information is not made available to the donor family. A recipient or donor family may correspond anonymously through the North Carolina Eye Bank.
If you as a recipient are interested in communicating with a donor family or as a member of a donor family would like to communicate with a recipient, please contact Penny LaBrecque at plabrecque@nceyebank.org |
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Will eye donation affect the appearance of the donor? |
No. Great care is taken to preserve the appearance of the donor. No one will be able to see that anything has been done. Families may proceed with funeral arrangements, including a viewing if so desired. |
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Recipients FAQs |
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Will the recipient be told who donated the cornea or the donor family told the identity of the recipient? |
Generally, no. The Gift of Sight is made anonymously. Information about the donor or donor family is not made available to the recipient and likewise, recipient information is not made available to the donor family. A recipient or donor family may correspond anonymously through the North Carolina Eye Bank.
If you as a recipient are interested in communicating with a donor family or as a member of a donor family would like to communicate with a recipient, please contact Penny LaBrecque at plabrecque@nceyebank.org |
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