Eye donation for corneal transplant can restore people’s sight, improve their quality of life, increase independence and allow them to reclaim productive lives. Eye donation for research helps countless individuals in the future.
Lions Gift of Sight recovers eyes generously given by eye donors every year, and each donor is treated with dignity and respect. We honor our donors for the priceless gift they provide to others, truly changing lives.
Commitment to Confidentiality and Care
Lions Gift of Sight maintains a strict confidentiality policy for donors and recipients. The decision to donate is confidential, and the gift of sight is made anonymously.
Lions Gift of Sight evaluates all donated corneas to ensure they are healthy enough for transplantation. In the event the corneas may not qualify for transplantation, we seek the family’s consent to use the eye or parts of the eye not transplanted for research.
We practice both whole eye (during which the entire eye is removed) and in situ (in which only the cornea is removed) donation. While the cornea (the clear tissue in the front of the eye) is the only part of the eye regularly transplanted, the sclera (white of the eye) can also be used in surgery to repair the recipient’s sclera. If you are planning on an open casket funeral or viewing, these plans should not be affected by donation. Some people choose to include that their loved one was a donor in their obituary to recognize their generous gift. Family members do not incur any medical expenses associated with the donation.
The Process for Donor Families
Many factors determine whether or not a person meets donation criteria, but most people can be donors. Some things that DO NOT necessarily prevent one from being a donor are: age, cataracts, prior surgeries (including laser eye surgery), most cancers, and poor vision. Donation can occur at a hospital, in a hospice setting or at a funeral home. Donors are treated with dignity and respect.
When the donation process begins, potential donors are screened for ocular and systemic disease to determine eligibility for transplant, research, training, or medical education. After an initial screening, staff then check if the potential donor registered their wishes on the Donate Life registry or on their state driver's license. If not, donor coordinators contact next-of-kin to offer the opportunity for their loved one to become a donor.
A Donor Risk Assessment Interview is completed with the next-of-kin to further screen potential donors. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires this additional screening before donated tissue is released for transplant.
Potential transplant donors undergo testing of blood specimens to determine tissue safety for transplant recipients. If the tissue is found to be unsuitable for transplant, it may be redirected to research or medical education, with family consent. Not all tissue recovered with intent for transplant can be released for transplant. Some contraindications are positive serologies, adverse medical findings found after recovery, and tissue damage or disease.
Eye donor families will receive a confirmation letter from Lions Gift of Sight within a few months of the donation.
Writing to Cornea Recipients
Lions Gift of Sight acts as an intermediary between corneal donor families and recipients. In this capacity, we strive to serve both donor families and recipients to the best of our abilities.
If you are a donor family member who would like to write to your donor’s cornea recipient(s) family, we offer you these guidelines:
- Use simple language and communicate in a sensitive manner.
- Feel free to write about your donor’s job, family, hobbies, and interests and what made him or her special.
- Do not include the last name of the donor or your last name, address, phone number.
- Place the card or letter in an unsealed envelope.
- Include a cover sheet with your name, address, and the date of your transplant.
- Mail the materials to Jodi Altenhofen, Community Services Liaison (address below).
Community Services Liaison
Eye and cornea donor families are assisted by our community services liaison, Jodi Altenhofen. If you want more information on our donor family support services, wish to provide feedback or share your story, or volunteer with us, please contact Jodi at:
Jodi Altenhofen
Community Services Liaison
1000 Westgate Drive – Suite 260
Saint Paul, MN 55114
Direct Line: 612-624-0446
Email: [email protected]
