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How to Become a Cornea Donor

Organ, Cornea and Tissue Donors Save Lives

More than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving or life-transforming transplant. Transplants rely on the generosity of organ, eye and tissue donors, and there are often not enough donors to meet the need. Thankfully, registering to be a cornea donor uses the same process as registering to be an organ and tissue donor – and the process is simple. You can help today.

FAQ
  • Who can be a cornea donor?
    Almost anyone can be a cornea donor, including candidates with cataracts, poor eyesight (wearing glasses or contacts), or those with a diagnosis of cancer. Age does not prohibit cornea donation.
  • How do I become a donor?
    You can register today to become a donor! You can also sign up automatically by clicking “yes” when you obtain or renew your driver's license.
  • Why be a cornea donor?
    Tens of thousands of people a year have their sight restored through corneal transplants. Hundreds of thousands more are helped through research. One cornea donor can give two people the gift of sight. Cornea transplant has a success rate that exceeds 95%.
  • What is a corneal transplant?
    A cornea transplant is surgery to replace a segment of an impaired cornea with a segment of a healthy donor cornea. The cornea has no blood vessels, so matching a donor to a recipient is not necessary, as in the case of organ donation.
  • Why would someone need a cornea?
    A cornea can be damaged as a result of injury, infection, or corneal disease such as Fuchs’ Dystrophy or keratoconus.
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