 Because there is no substitute for human corneal tissue, cornea transplantation depends solely on cornea donation. Like organs and other tissue, corneas are donated after death, and the consent of the donor’s next of kin is required.
Donated corneas are removed as soon as possible after death by skilled medical technicians. In most cases, only the cornea is removed—not the whole eye. Donated corneas are then provided to ophthalmologists, often in the donor’s home community or region.
Great care is taken to preserve the appearance of the donor; cornea donation almost never interferes with funeral arrangements, including open-casket services.
All major religions support donation of organs and tissues, including corneas. For more information regarding religious views on corneal donation, click here.
Donation & The Law
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is a federal agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. CMS also develops Conditions of Participation (CoPs) and Conditions of Coverage (CFCs) that healthcare organizations must meet in order to participate in Medicare and Medicaid programs. These standards are initiated to improve quality of care and to protect the health and safety of beneficiaries.
On May 31, 2006, CMS published a Final Rule that imposes several requirements designed to increase organ and tissue donation. One of these requirements is that a hospital must have a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with an Organ Procurement Organization (OPO). According to the MOA, a hospital must contact the OPO in a timely manner regarding individuals who have died or whose death is imminent. The OPO will then determine the individual’s medical suitability for donation.
It is also stipulated that a hospital must have an agreement with at least one tissue bank and one eye bank to cooperate in the retrieval, processing, preservation, storage, and distribution of tissues and eyes, provided this agreement does not interfere with organ donation. The Final Rule requires that a hospital, in collaboration with its chosen OPO, ensure that the family of every potential donor is informed of their option to donate organs or tissues.
Donor Referral & Consent
In accordance with Act 102, the Eye Bank asks that hospitals notify the OPO as soon as the donor’s death is imminent or as soon as death occurs. It is important that no one approach or speak to the donor’s family regarding donation until after the OPO or the Eye Bank has assessed the donor for suitability.
Before calling, please make sure you have donor information available, including:
- Donor’s name and date of birth
- Relevant medical history (labs, H&P)
- Name, address, and phone number of next of kin or legal representative
- Whether or not the death is a coroner’s case
- Time and cause of death
- Known ocular history
- Name of funeral home being used
Remember, corneas can be recovered up to 24 hours post-mortem.
Also, when you call the OPO, please ask, “What about cornea donation?” (never “eye donation”). Often, hospital staff are not aware that the Eye Bank has been called, and early release of the body may occur. It is our hope that by asking this question, hospital staff will be notified that the Eye Bank has been called.
Processing Fee
A processing fee covering corneal tissue recovery and preparation expense is charged by the Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank to those hospitals or surgical centers receiving the corneal tissue for use in transplant surgery. This fee is based on our technician’s time and travel expense, medical equipment, and the corneal evaluation and screening process.
The Eye Bank’s processing fee qualifies for third-party reimbursement under the Medicare Program, which makes up more than 90% of the Eye Bank’s operating budget. If a recovered cornea is found to be unsuitable for corneal transplantation, the Eye Bank receives no reimbursement.
Who can donate?
Almost anyone can become a cornea donor. Persons who wear corrective lenses or those with macular degeneration, glaucoma, blindness, or diabetes can all donate. Cancer patients can also become cornea corneal donors.
Who cannot donate?
Persons who cannot become cornea donors include those with active viral hepatitis, organic brain disease, or HIV/AIDS.
For more information on corneal donation and transplantation:
Northeast Pennsylvania Lions Eye Bank
c/o Lehigh Valley Hospital
17th & Chew Street
Box 7017
Allentown, PA 18105-7017
1-800-NE-PA-EYE (637-2393) • 610-969-2155
Fax: 610-969-4254 • E-Mail: info@PaEyeBank.org
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