Journey of a CorneaWe change lives by saving sight.®

• Non-profit• Serves 220 Hospitals• HIPAA Exempt• Founded in 1960, is now one of the 5 largest eye banks in the

nation, providing the gift of sight to an average of 7 individuals per day

We are a Lions Eye Bank What does that mean?

Not-for-profit organization that:

• Operates within established Lions Clubs International Board Policy for the program

• Is sponsored by a Lions club, district or multiple district

• Has an established working relationship with a medical facility

• Complies with government medical and education standards

• May coordinate Lions’ financial assistance for sight-saving corneal transplant surgery

?Fun Fact

What is the most common type of tissue transplanted?

Cornea

Anatomy of the Human Eye

Cornea: the most commonly used tissue for transplant; clear outer window of the eye.

Lens: helps bring rays of light to focus; often used by researchers

Sclera: white outer protective eye tissue; can be used in reconstructive surgery

Heart of a Hero – Arnold’s Song

In April 2013, Saving Sight shared a story about Arnold, a happy-go-lucky man who donated his corneas to give the gift of sight to others. Arnold was a long-haul truck driver from Maine who passed away while in Springfield, Illinois for work, and his wife, Marie, supported his decision to become a donor, even though she was hundreds of miles away. "Following through with his wish to be a donor was never a hesitation in my shock and grief,” she said.

After the donation, Marie corresponded with one of the recipients of Arnold's corneal tissue and learned a lot from the experience. She had this to share: "[Donation] isn’t just something you do – it’s life-changing for the recipients and the people who are left behind. Science gives us the technology to make these gifts happen, but without people giving so unselfishly, we could not bring about the life-changing results I have witnessed firsthand.”

Recently, Vince Dixon, a family friend of Marie, was touched by the stories of Arnold and other donors. And he decided to honor them and draw attention to the importance of donation by writing an original song, "Heart of a Hero," which he then posted as a video to YouTube. Arnold is prominently featured in the video, starting at one minute and thirty seconds and at the end.

Journey of a Cornea: The Donor

Begins with an individual and/or their family

First Person Authorization (FPA)◦ www.missouriorgandonor.com◦ www.donatelifekansas.com◦ www.donatelifeillinois.org◦ www.donatelife.net

Fun Fact What percentage of Saving Sight donors were FPA?

A. B. C.D. ?

Journey of a Cornea: Screening

• Hospital refers death to local organ procurement organization (OPO)

• OPO screens for eye donation eligibility• If eligible, Saving Sight donor services

center receives referral from OPO• Saving Sight continues screening w/

hospital to determine final eligibility

Fun Fact How many referral calls did the Saving Sight DSC receive in 2013?

A.B. C.D.

This equates to ______calls per day and _____ calls per month. ?

Journey of a Cornea: Authorization

• The DSC checks the registry status of the potential donor

• The DSC discusses donation opportunity with the family

• The DSC completes a medical social interview with the family

Fun Fact

In 2013, Saving Sight approached ____ families for donation.

A. B.C. D. ?

Journey of a Cornea:The Recovery

• Certified Eye Bank Technician is dispatched to recover the corneas, primarily at the hospital

• Tissue must be recovered within 24 hours of patient’s death

• All Saving Sight tissue returns to Kansas City office for evaluation and processing

Fun Fact

In 2013, Saving Sight recovered _____ eyes with intent to transplant.

A. B. C.D. ?

Journey of a Cornea: Evaluation

Tissue undergoes extensive evaluation in KC lab

• Calculate cell density• Evaluate thickness and

uniformity of pre-cut tissue• Document observations about

tissue characteristics and quality

Donor’s medical records are reviewed with a fine tooth comb to identify contraindications

Fun Fact

Nearly ______ individuals are in need of a corneal transplant each year.

A. 15,000B. 20,000C. 35,000D. 50,000 ?

Journey of a Cornea: Transplant Tissue is matched with surgeons needs

• Corneal Tissue for Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) and Lamellar Keratoplasty (LK)

• Lamellar Pre-Cut Services, including ALTK and DSAEK

• Sclera and Long-Term Preserved Corneas

• Ocular Tissue for Research and Training

Fun Fact

In 2013, how many corneas did Saving Sight provide for transplant?

A. 5,102B. 876C. 2,606D. 1,705

And the answer is?C. 2,606?

Support of Ocular Research Projects to help find causes and cures for blindness

Saving Sight provided 1,222 tissues for non clinical use and research in 2012

To honor Dr. Walkenbach’s achievements and recognize his love of research, Saving Sight has started a legacy program in his name: the Dr. Ronald Walkenbach Corneal Transplant Fellowship. The program will honor his service by advancing innovation in corneal transplantation through collaborative partnerships with corneal surgeons. To make a financial contribution in support of Dr. Walkenbach’s legacy program, give online at www.saving-sight.org/give or send a check to 404 Portland St., Columbia, MO 65201 with a note mentioning this program.  

Eye Donation Facts Donation is of no cost to the family

Cancer, diabetes, Lasik and even blindness are not rule outs for eye donation

Corneal transplants are over 95% successful

Donation should not impede funeral arrangements

Follow-up care provided to donor families

Most major religions support donation

To date, Gentry has undergone twenty eye surgeries, including three traditional corneal transplants, two Ahmed valve implants, and the Boston KPro transplant. While her daughter has not attained full vision in the course of these complex medical interventions, Becky describes Gentry’s vision positively. “She can see fairly well out of her right eye. She gets around fine and can see things around her,” she said. “We’re not sure about her depth perception, and she has light-sensitive vision, so she wears sunglasses outside. But we know she has light reception in her left eye. She’s just now at the point that she can develop vision in the left eye.”

In order to express her gratitude, Becky has written to the families whose loved ones donated the gift of sight to Gentry. “My daughter couldn’t see if it weren’t for donation and the generosity of people and families who agree to donation,” she said. Though she had not encountered donation or transplantation before her daughter’s birth, Becky knows how important the gift of sight is to people of all ages. “There are babies and young children who have eye conditions. They have the opportunity to be able to see if given that gift at a young age.” Because generous donors and donor families said yes to donation, Gentry has the opportunity for a life she might not otherwise have had. “She has the chance to grow up like everyone else,” Becky said. “She doesn’t have perfect vision, but it’s functional. She’ll be able to read and play like every other child.”

Two-Year-Old Receives Gift of Sight After Cornea Transplants and Complex Eye Surgeries

THANK YOU!

Additional information

www.saving-sight.org | 800-753-2265

We are Lions. We are Saving Sight.