Gift of Sight: Eye Donor Awareness Month
Yeah, you're right. It seems that every week, every month is designated for some special health-related cause. Stop smoking, cure cancer, deliver healthy babies. All of these are honorable, worthy campaigns. Now it's my turn. I want to make you aware that March is National Eye Donor Month.
There are good reasons to consider becoming an eye donor. Most donated eyes are used for corneal transplantation. The diseased, cloudy, scarred cornea is replaced with healthy new tissue. Think of it like replacing a damaged windshield in your car.
Besides the skin, cornea is the most successfully transplanted human tissue. Cornea rejection rates are less than 10% and the recipient does not need lifelong immunosuppression. The visual improvement following a corneal transplant is life-changing!
No helicopters are necessary! Preserved eye tissue can survive beyond 72 hours so long as it has been properly handled. The postmortem gift of eye donation will not alter the appearance of the deceased and it is endorsed by most cultures and faith communities. Eye banks ship donor corneal tissue to wherever it is needed - across town or across the country. Yes, body parts via FedEx!
Click here to learn more about becoming an Eye Donor.
Related Topics: Dr. Lloyd's Eye and Vision Message Board, Organ Transplant Support Group
Technorati Tags: cornealtransplant, eyedonor, organdonor
There are good reasons to consider becoming an eye donor. Most donated eyes are used for corneal transplantation. The diseased, cloudy, scarred cornea is replaced with healthy new tissue. Think of it like replacing a damaged windshield in your car.
Besides the skin, cornea is the most successfully transplanted human tissue. Cornea rejection rates are less than 10% and the recipient does not need lifelong immunosuppression. The visual improvement following a corneal transplant is life-changing!
No helicopters are necessary! Preserved eye tissue can survive beyond 72 hours so long as it has been properly handled. The postmortem gift of eye donation will not alter the appearance of the deceased and it is endorsed by most cultures and faith communities. Eye banks ship donor corneal tissue to wherever it is needed - across town or across the country. Yes, body parts via FedEx!
Click here to learn more about becoming an Eye Donor.
Related Topics: Dr. Lloyd's Eye and Vision Message Board, Organ Transplant Support Group
Technorati Tags: cornealtransplant, eyedonor, organdonor
3 Comments:
On July 31st, our 8 year old son passed away suddenly after an acute Asthma Attack. When we were contacted by the Eye Bank, we didn't hesitate to donate. We needed something good to come from this and to know his death was not in vain. Just today, we found out a 38 year old and a 15 year old received them. I would encourage everyone to think about donating. It has helped me to find some peace knowing in the end, he helped someone else.
I would like Stephanie and anyone else who has donated to the Eye Bank to knkow that this is a gift that truly changes lives.
In 1947 I was born with congenital glaucoma in both eyes. Three surgeries during my first year saved the sight in my left eye.
Then during the summer and fall of 2004 I lost that eyesight. I could not read newspaper headlines. I could not see to cross the street. I could not recognize people sitting across the room from me.
On Dec. 27, 2004, I received a cornea graft. That has restored my eyesight and qualilty of life. What a wonderful Christmas present!
Everyday I thank the unknown donor and Dr. Besson for enabling me to enjoy my grandaughters, my job, and life in general.
Bless all who make this ultimate gift of self.
Tom Hoersten
this may sound like a stupid question but, could this help someone with retinopathy?
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