How Donation Works • Fact or Fiction • Anatomy of the Eye • FAQs

What is a cornea?
A cornea is the clear, dime-sized tissue found at the front of the eye. It functions like a window, allowing light to pass through the eye.

What is a cornea transplant?
A cornea transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces a diseased or infected cornea with a healthy, donated cornea. Corneal transplantation is the most frequently performed transplant procedure.

How safe is corneal transplantation?
More than 90 percent of all cornea transplants performed in the United States are successful. Donated corneas are transplanted only after the donor medical and social histories have been obtained. Blood samples are taken from the donor to test for disease, and the tissue itself is evaluated for suitability under special microscopes.

Who can be an eye donor?
Anyone can donate eyes. If the corneal tissue is not transplantable, due to age or medical condition, to donation can, with consent, be considered a gift for research and education.

My vision is bad. Why would the Eye-Bank want my cornea?
Even if one’s eyesight is poor, the corneal tissue may be completely healthy – healthy enough to save someone’s sight. Moreover, with consent, donated corneas may be used to provide much-needed information for researchers or for those being trained in corneal tissue recovery, preservation and evaluation.

How can research and education benefit from eye donation?
Each year, more than 30,000 eyes are donated in the U.S. for research and education involving glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and other sight disorders. These studies advance the knowledge of causes and effects of specific eye conditions, leading to new treatments and cures.

How do I consent to donate my eye tissue?
Become a registered eye, organ and tissue donor by joining the Michigan Organ Donor Registry. In addition, be sure to have a conversation with your family. Tell them of your final wishes regarding donation. Family members are consulted at the time of death, and a 10-second conversation with them now can help them make the important decision to donate when the time comes.

Is there a waiting list for transplantable corneas?
The patient waiting list for corneas has been virtually eliminated in the United States, thanks to advanced surgery scheduling processes and the advent of corneal tissue preservation media. Unfortunately, there are still waiting lists for other tissues and organs.

Is there a need to match blood type or eye color between donor and recipient?
No. Unlike other organs and tissues, the cornea is not nourished by blood, which means no matching is required. In addition, the cornea does not affect one’s eye color, meaning the patient will retain his or her original eye color following transplant.

What is an eye bank?
An eye bank is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the restoration of sight through recovery, evaluation and distribution of donated eye tissue. The tissue is used for either corneal transplantation or research and education.

The Michigan Eye-Bank is a division of Midwest Eye-Banks, which includes the Illinois Eye-Bank, the Illinois Eye-Bank, Watson Gailey, the Lions Eye Bank of New Jersey and the Michigan Eye-Bank.

Will doctors and healthcare staff still try as hard to save my life if they know that I am a registered donor and if they think my organs or tissues can be used?
Absolutely. In fact, by law, the team working to save a patient’s life is completely separate from the team who may recover donated organs and tissues after death has been pronounced. Eye, organ and tissue recoveries are pursued only after all lifesaving measures have been exhausted and the patient is officially deceased.

How much does it cost to get a cornea transplant?
First of all, it is important to know that there is never any charge for donated eye tissue. It is considered a gift from the donor and his or her family. The patient must pay the surgical facility or hospital for the operation itself, as one would pay for any medical procedure, and the transplant procedure is typically covered by health insurance or Medicare.

The Eye-Bank receives a tissue processing fee from the surgical facility where the operation is performed. This fee is meant to help offset the substantial costs involved in recovering, evaluating and distributing tissue. Additional fees are charged for the service of preparing corneal tissue for DSEK. When patients lack medical insurance coverage and cannot afford corneal transplantation procedures, we work with surgeons and surgery centers to reduce or waive all fees, meaning no one in need of a sight restoring cornea transplant will be turned away.

Common concerns regarding donation:
Cost to family: Donor families do not incur any costs related to donation.

Funeral arrangements: There are no visible signs following a donation. Families may make funeral arrangements, including viewing, if so desired.

For further information, contact the Michigan Eye-Bank at (800) 247-7250.