Human organ and tissue transplantation has become an important and growing part of modern medical practice. Advances in medical technology have resulted in millions of Americans receiving life-saving or life-enhancing gifts. To this end, an eye bank obtains, medically evaluates and distributes eyes donated by caring individuals for use in corneal transplantation, research and education

Uses of Eye Tissue in the United States

Corneal Transplant. Ophthalmologists perform tens of thousands of corneal transplants each year in the United States. Of all transplant surgery done today - including hearts, lungs and kidneys - corneal transplants are by far the most common and successful. Last year, there were more than 46,600 corneal transplants performed in the United States.

Research. Because of the growing incidence of eye disease, there is a growing need for clinical, surgical and research expertise. Eye banks play a critical role in advancing therapeutics for the treatment of eye disease by providing medical schools and researchers with access to donor tissue – both healthy and diseased. Eye tissue is also used for the development of other neurological diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. More than 19,400 eyes were provided for research in the United States in 2002.

Training. Donor tissue is used for training doctors in the specialty of ophthalmology. An ophthalmologist is a physician (medical doctor) with additional specialized training, qualifications and skills in the diagnosis, medical and surgical management of disorders of the eye and visual system; in the prevention of blindness; in the promotion of eye health in individuals and in the community; and in the rehabilitation of patients with visual disability.
Last year, more than 4,400 eyes were provided for doctor training.

Prosthetics. Sclera, the white of the eye, gives strength to the structure of the eye. For many patients, donated sclera are used as a prosthesis. The tissue, which has been wrapped around coral, is placed in the eye socket and attached to the eye muscles. An oculist paints a pupil and iris on a curved piece of porcelain-like material that is then placed over the sclera. Because the prosthesis moves in unison with the good eye, and also because the painted pupil and iris exactly match the recipient's other eye, the prosthesis looks very natural. Last year more than 4,000 sclera were distributed for medical purposes.