Eye bank is a nonprofit agency through which eyes removed shortly after death are distributed to specially trained surgeons. These surgeons perform an operation called a corneal transplant on people who are blind from diseases that cause scarring of the cornea. The cornea is the transparent outer layer through which light enters the eye (see Eye (Diseases of the cornea)). The operation consists of replacing the central portion of the scarred cornea with clear corneal tissue.
An eye remains suitable for surgery for only a short time after removal from the body. For this reason, it must be sped to the eye bank. A surgeon must remove the donor’s eyes within three hours after death and pack them in special containers just above freezing temperature. The container is rushed to an eye bank, where the eyes are carefully examined and tested to determine if they are suitable for surgery. An eye surgeon who has patients waiting for surgery is notified that an eye is available. The surgeon sends a patient to the hospital, and the operation is performed immediately after arrival of the eye.
The first eye bank was formed in 1944 in New York City. Many eye banks have since developed in other cities and countries. People who wish to donate their eyes should register with an eye bank. Prospective donors can then sign legal documents to donate their eyes upon death. If a person has not signed such documents, the nearest relative must give legal permission for removal of the eyes after death. Some donated eyes may be unsuitable for corneal transplantation. But such eyes can be used for study and research.
