FAQ
General Information
• How can I become an eye donor?
• What is an eye bank?
• What is the cornea?
• What is corneal blindness?
• What is a corneal transplant?
• Is the whole eye transplanted?
• How prevalent is corneal transplantation?
• How successful is corneal transplantation?
• Why should eyes be donated?
• Who can be a donor?
• Will the quality of medical treatment be affected if one is a known donor??
• Will the recipient be told who donated the corneas?
• If a person has already signed a donor card or a driver’s license, how can they be sure that their wishes regarding donation will be respected?
• How great is the need for corneas?
• Are there religious objections to eye, organ, or tissue donations?
• Is there a fee charged for this donation?
• Is there any delay in funeral arrangements?
• Will eye donation affect the appearance of the donor?
• What happens if corneas are not suitable for transplant?
• How do research and education benefit from eye donation?
• How does the eye bank ensure safe corneal tissue for transplantation?
For Healthcare Professionals
• Doesn’t cancer rule out any potential donation?
• Doesn’t poor vision, caused by diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma, rule out potential eye donation?
• If the family consents, what do we do next?
• Do I approach the family, or do you come here to speak to them?
• Don’t I have to be a “Designated Requestor” to ask for eye donation?
• Why do I have to answer the same medical questions with the AOC and AEB?
• What is your upper age limit, and why do I have to call you if I know the patient is too old to donate eyes?
• Do I approach the family about eye donation on a Medical Examiner case?
• Does HIPAA allow me to release patient information to you?
• When should I release the body to the funeral home?
• Do I have to talk to the family while they are here at the hospital, or can they be approached later at home?
