Restoring vision and improving lives starts with a simple “yes.”

The cornea is the eye’s outermost layer. It is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye.

When the cornea becomes cloudy, light cannot penetrate the eye to reach the light-sensitive retina. Poor vision or blindness may result.

A corneal transplant involves replacing a diseased or scarred cornea with a new one.

At this time, the answer is no. Only the cornea or sclera can be transplanted. The entire eye may be used for research and education.

There is no substitute for human tissue. The transplantation process depends upon the priceless gift of corneal donation from one human to another. Donated eyes are also needed for research and education.

Anyone can. The great thing about corneal tissue is that everyone is a universal donor. Your blood type does not have to match. It doesn’t matter how old you are, what color your eyes are, or how good your eyesight is. Aside from those suffering from infections or a few highly communicable diseases such as HIV or hepatitis, most people are suitable donors.

No. Strict laws are in existence that protect the potential donor. Legal guidelines must be followed before death can be certified. The physician certifying a patient’s death is not involved with the eye procurement or with the transplant.

The Gift of Sight is made anonymously. Specific information about the donor family is not made available to the recipient. If they so choose, recipients can write anonymously to their donor family, in care of the eye bank, to express their thanks. The eye bank will pass along this communication.

No. Donation is an opportunity to help save a life or restore someone’s sight. Eye, organ, and tissue donation are consistent with the beliefs of major religions. Include your spiritual leader in your decision-making process.

No. It is illegal to buy or sell human eyes, organs, and tissue. Any cost associated with eye procurement is absorbed by the eye bank placing the tissue.

Recovery of the donor eye tissue takes place within hours of death. A corneal transplant can be performed up to 14 days after donation but usually occurs within 3-7 days.

Some medical conditions pose a problem for transplantation. An extensive review of the donor’s medical, family, and social history is conducted, as well as detailed examination and testing of the donated corneas. Some donated eyes are unsuitable for transplantation; however, efforts are made to place this tissue with research and educational programs when and where appropriate.

Research on glaucoma, retinal disease, eye complications of diabetes, and other sight disorders help to advance the discovery of the cause and effects of these conditions. This can then lead to new treatments and cures.

An eye bank is a non-profit organization that obtains, medically evaluates, and distributes eye tissue donated by caring individuals for use in transplantation, research, and education.

Non-profits are tax exempt or charitable, meaning they do not pay income tax on the money that they receive for their organization. They can operate in a religious, scientific, research, or an educational setting.

The donated eyes and the donor’s medical and social history are evaluated by the eye bank in accordance with the Eye Bank Association of America’s (EBAA) Medical Standards, as well as with U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations. With the recipient’s safety in mind, only corneas that have met these strict evaluation guidelines are distributed for transplant use.

We understand that losing a loved one is a stressful and sorrowful time; however, to ensure that healthy cells in the cornea remain viable, the recovery must take place as soon as possible since the time limit for recovery is only a few hours.

Register to become an eye, organ, and tissue donor by signing up on your states Donor Registry. Make sure you speak to your loved ones about your decision.