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Eye Donation For Corneal

corneal eye donation

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43 views4 pages

Eye Donation For Corneal

corneal eye donation

Uploaded by

shamanbrar14
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Eye donation for corneal

transplant
Information for patients from Ophthalmology

Coming to terms with a bereavement is hard; but the idea that our death may help others can be
comforting. This leaflet explains what eye donation is and attempts to answer some of the most
frequently asked questions. We hope it will help you to reach a decision.

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.

What is corneal tissue?


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.

What is corneal blindness?


Corneal blindness is a disorder that results from the cornea becoming clouded, making a person
blind, or at best severely limiting their vision.

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 healthy donor cornea.

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Is the whole eye transplanted?
No, only the cornea can be transplanted. The sclera (the tough, white fibrous protective outer layer
of the eye) may be used in other types of eye surgery. The entire eye may be used in research
and education.

How common is corneal transplantation?


Corneal grafting was pioneered in the UK in the 1930s. Technical advances over the last 30 years
have made this one of the most frequently performed human transplant procedures. There are
over 3600 sight saving corneal transplants carried out each year.

How successful is corneal transplantation?


Over 96% (or 96 in every 100) of all corneal transplant operations successfully restore the corneal
recipient’s sight.

How do research and education benefit from eye donation?


Research on glaucoma, retinal disease, diabetic complications of the eye, and other sight
disorders help to advance the discovery of the cause and effect of these conditions.

Who can be a donor?


Most people can. There are a few exceptions (see below) and the specialist nurse organ donation/
tissue co-ordinator will advise you. There is no age limit. Cataracts, poor eyesight, or age do not
prevent you from being a donor. It is important that your family know your wishes.

Are there any reasons why I cannot be a donor?

• Where death is of unknown infection.

• Where there is the presence of infectious eye disease.

• Where there is scarring or damage to the cornea.

• Where the donor has undergone corrective laser surgery to improve sight.

• Alzheimer’s Disease.

• Other diseases of unknown cause.

How great is the need for corneas?


There are never enough corneas in the eye bank. Artificial tissue has been tried but has so far
been unsuccessful.

There is a great shortage of donor corneas in the UK. The waiting time can be up to one year.

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What is an eye bank?
Any eye bank obtains, medically evaluates, and distributes the eyes for use in corneal
transplantation. Corneas from donors all over the UK are stored in the Corneal Transplant Service
eye banks in Bristol and Manchester where they can be kept for up to four weeks. The corneas are
distributed through NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), the NHS organ matching and distribution
service.

Are there any religious objections to eye, organ, or tissue donation?


No. Donation is an opportunity to help save a life or restore someone’s sight. Eye, organ, and
tissue donation is consistent with the beliefs and attitudes of most major religions.

Will donating delay funeral arrangements?


No. Eye retrieval will not interfere with the funeral arrangements, last offices, and family viewing.

Will eye donation affect the appearance of the donor?


No. Great care is taken to preserve the donor’s appearance.

What happens if the corneas are not suitable for transplant?


Donor eyes are carefully evaluated. Corneas determined unsuitable for transplant may be used in
ethically approved research, only if permission/consent was obtained.

Will the recipient be told who donated the cornea?


The gift of sight is made anonymously. Specific information about the donor family is not available
to the recipient. The eye bank will always convey recipients thanks to the donor family.

If you have a donor card, how do you know that your wishes will be respected?
Tell your family and friends.

What happens when the referral has been made?


The family of the donor is asked to sign a ‘lack of objection’ form (consent form) stating their
wishes. To ensure the safety of the recipient, the donor’s medical and social history is reviewed.

A small blood sample (10mls) is taken to screen for viruses that may prevent donation. This can be
taken after the patient has died.

3 of 4 Eye donation for corneal transplant (July 2021)


Further information
Further information is available from the following organisations.

• Tissue Service
Telephone: 0800 43 20 55 9 (freephone)
This is a pager service and they will call back within 20 minutes.

• British Organ Donor Society


Telephone: 01233 89 36 36

• National Association of Bereavement Services


Telephone: 0207 24 71 08 0

• Child Death Helpline


Telephone: 0800 28 29 86 (freephone)
Open every evening 7pm to 10pm, and Wednesday 10am to 1pm.

References

• NHS Blood and Transplant: cornea donation


www.organdonation.nhs.uk/newsroom/fact_sheets/cornea_transplantation_fact_sheet.asp

• NHS Blood and Transplant: frequently asked questions


www.organdonation.nhs.uk/faq/

This leaflet has been produced with and for patients

If you would like this information in another language, audio, Braille, Easy
Read, or large print please ask a member of staff. You can ask someone to
contact us on your behalf.

Any complaints, comments, concerns, or compliments please speak to your doctor or


nurse, or contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01227 78 31 45, or email
ekh-tr.pals@nhs.net

Patients should not bring in large sums of money or valuables into hospital. Please note
that East Kent Hospitals accepts no responsibility for the loss or damage to personal property,
unless the property had been handed in to Trust staff for safe-keeping.

Further patient leaflets are available via the East Kent Hospitals web site www.ekhuft.nhs.uk/
patientinformation

Information produced by Ophthalmology


Date reviewed: July 2021 Next review date: November 2024 Web 216
4 of 4 Eye donation for corneal transplant (July 2021)

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