Of all the Canadians currently waiting to receive corneal transplants,
only a small percentage of them will get the help they need to restore
their sight. You can change that by arranging to become an eye donor.
When you donate your eyes, you are primarily donating the cornea, the
thin layer of tissue that covers the eye like a window. The cornea
focuses light ray on the retina and protects delicate working parts of
the eye from injury. Replacing a scarred or damaged cornea is like
replacing a frosted window with a clear glass.
Anyone can be an eye donor. Because the cornea is a clear layer of
tissue, it isn't necessary to match the eye colour, age or sex of the
donor. Even if you wear glasses or have other eye conditions such as
cataracts, you may still have healthy corneal tissue suitable for
donation.
All donors are checked for AIDS, hepatitis and a host of other diseases
and all tissue is checked for clarity before the transplant proceeds.
Corneal transplants are by far the most successful transplants performed
today--a remarkable 85% of people who receive new corneas regain their
sight.
Who Benefits
People who may benefit from a corneal transplant include those who:
- have experienced corneal failure after eye surgery;
- have conditions such as keratoconus, a steep curvature of the cornea;
- have hereditary corneal failure; those who have scarring after an eye injury;
- have scarring after having infections such as herpes; or
- have rejected a cornea after the first transplant.
How to Become a Donor
To give the gift of sight, simply fill out any donor consent card such
as the one that comes with your driver's license. Then, keep the card
with you.
Recording your gift in a will is not enough. By time the will is read,
it will be far too late to use the cornea. If you are over 18 years of
age, you do not need approval from next-of-kin. You should discuss it
with them, however, as they may be able to help ensure your wishes are
carried out.
Corneal transplants are the most successful kind of transplant performed
today, but those in need depend on you to give the gift of sight. To
find out more, please contact the eye bank office near you.
The Procedure
Once you and your ophthalmologist have decided that a corneal transplant
is right for you, your name is put on a list at the nearest eye bank.
When tissue becomes available and has been checked to ensure its
suitability, the surgeon is contacted and arrangements are made. Most
transplants are performed within hours of the tissue becoming available.
The surgery itself is painless and usually done on an outpatient basis.
First, you are given eye drops or medication to help you relax. Then, a
local or general anesthetic is used to prepare the eye. Using a surgical
microscope, the ophthalmologist measures the eye to determine the size
of the corneal transplant. The diseased or injured cornea is then
carefully removed and a clear donor cornea is sewn into place. A patch
is usually worn over the eye immediately following surgery.
Complications
First-time corneal transplants are sometimes rejected. Procedures can be
repeated, usually with good success, although the rejection rate is
higher. The rejected cornea clouds and vision deteriorates. If treated
promptly, most rejections can be stopped with minimal injury. Signs of
rejection include persistent discomfort, light sensitivity, redness and
change in vision.
Other possible complications include infection, bleeding, swelling or
detachment of the retina or glaucoma all of which can be treated.
Canadian Eye Banks