Everyone can be an eye donor.  Poor eyesight and age make no difference.  Anyone can become a donor by indicating your wish on the Virginia Driver's License or by visiting the statewide donor registry at http://www.save7lives.org .

Each year, over 40,000 Americans have their vision restored after undergoing a corneal transplant.  It has been estimated that an additional 30,000 could have improved or fully restored vision through corneal transplantation if enough donor tissue were available.  With a pair of eyes, as many as 10 people may regain their sight or have improved vision.  Two corneas can help two people see again or maybe even for the first time.  The sclera, or white of the eye can be used to help up to eight individuals.

Corneal transplants have been performed since 1905 and the surgery is a highly successful medical procedure performed by a trained ophthalmologist.  The surgery involves removing a cloudy cornea and replacing it with clear, donor tissue.

Common Misconceptions About Donation

• Decreased Quality of Medical Care:  There is no conflict between saving a patient's life and using their eye tissue for transplantation.  Very strict laws protect patients who may be candidates for donation of any type.  Legal guidelines are in place that must be followed before a patient is declared dead and their tissues and organs can be removed.
• Disfigurement:  There is no apparent disfigurement once the cornea or whole eye is removed.   The eyelids remain closed and there is no disfigurement that would interfere with an open-casket funeral service.
• Interference with Funeral Arrangements:  Eye donation does not interfere with or delay any funeral arrangements the family chooses.
• Costs to Family:  There is no cost to the family for donation.
• Religious Beliefs:    Eye donation gives sight to others.  As a gift to another human being, donation is consistent with many religious beliefs, attitudes and ethical standards that support action to benefit others.
• Medical Examiner Cases and Anatomical Gifts:  Individuals who are being evaluated by a Medical Examiner may also donate.  Anatomical gift donors may also donate to the Eye Bank if their family wishes.
• Cancer:  Many individuals with a history of cancer may donate their eyes for research.  In many cases, the tissue can be used for transplant.
• Poor Eyesight:  Poor vision due to previous surgeries or long-term eye diseases does not preclude eye donation.  Research programs study the effects of other blinding diseases such as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa and diabetic-related eye disorders. If you wear eyeglasses or corrective lenses due to near or farsightedness, the eye tissue is still used for transplant.
• Diabetes patients:  Diabetics may donate their eye tissue for research.  Research programs benefit 90 percent of all visually impaired individuals.  In some cases, the tissue is used for transplants.
• Age:  Anyone may donate their eyes regardless of their age.  Transplantable tissue is accepted from newborns to age 68, with exceptions in some cases.
• Confidentiality:  Eye donation is a completely confidential gift.  Neither the donor family nor the recipient know the identity of the other, unless both request to exchange this information.
• "I've signed my driver's license so that's all I need to do.":  In addition to the signed donor card, it is very important to discuss donation with your family members and express your wishes now, so that they can help carry out your wishes at the time of your death.  Talk about donation with your immediate family and friends.  Others that are important to notify would be the family funeral service or the staff at the nursing home where your loved one resides.  

A question frequently asked by families is, "Will these eyes definitely be used for transplant?"  We don't know until all of our tests and examinations are completed.  If the eye tissue is not used for transplant, your loved one will still be making a contribution to the visually impaired through the knowledge gained by research programs and educational training.

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