UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

I know people are definitely squeamish about eyes altogether. My boyfriend always says he has no problem donating any part of his body but not his eyes. i think a lot of it is due to lack of understanding, I had no idea until I read that the only part you donate is your cornea, (think that i read that right?!) i think it's very common to think you will have your eyes removed. It's probably time it was made common knowledge as I really think more people would opt to donate if they knew this!

alibob wrote:I know people are definitely squeamish about eyes altogether. My boyfriend always says he has no problem donating any part of his body but not his eyes. i think a lot of it is due to lack of understanding, I had no idea until I read that the only part you donate is your cornea, (think that i read that right?!) i think it's very common to think you will have your eyes removed. It's probably time it was made common knowledge as I really think more people would opt to donate if they knew this!

I agree. It should atleast be changed to cornea rather than eye.

I don' t think that it is only the cornea that is in play. A friend of mine had a full cornea/sclera graft (not for KC). On the downside, people often exclude donating eyes or parts of them from their donor registration, and on the upside it is more common for eyes to be usable for transplant than for other tissue.

Swings and roundabouts?

I agree that it is a shame that there are not more donors willing to allow their eyes to be used, but I still think that the principle of informed consent is important if the tissue of dead people is to be used to help the still alive.

Andrew

I think you are right Andrew, as far as I know the eye is removed so in a way I find the article a little misleading. More than just the cornea can be used. I think that people who wish to donate organs should know these details if they wish too. Organ donation will always have it's controversies and I respect both sides of the coin - I'm just grateful there are some that chose to donate!

So they do remove the whole eye and ou have no eyes then?
I agree, it needs to be made clear exactly what will happen for all donated organs. I registered for organ donation today after reading this article, I wouldn't imagine anyone would be after my eyes mind you.......!

http://www.snec.com.sg/about/giving-opp ... tions.aspx

Will removal of the corneas disfigure the face?
Absolutely not! The body is treated with respect. Only the cornea and not the whole eye is removed. The cornea is only about the size and shape of a contact lens. It would still be possible to have an open-casket funeral as corneal removal makes no noticeable changes to the face.

Also, corneal removal is performed shortly after death and should not delay funeral arrangements.

http://www.heron.nhs.uk/specialist_dire ... tm#Corneas

Staff who request corneas need to be aware that the whole eye is removed and to be prepared to tell the bereaved relatives this if they ask.

A prosthesis is put into the eye and the lids are sealed. After an expert removal it is usually impossible to tell that this procedure has taken place.

Corneas should be removed within 24 hours providing the body has been refrigerated within 6 hours.