who can be a donor

Having poor vision or eye disease does not mean you cannot be an eye donor. Generally, only the cornea, the clear front part of the eye, is transplanted. Eye conditions such as being nearsighted or farsighted do not prevent you from being a donor. Cancer patients may also be eye donors when they die. As long as the corneas are healthy, there is a possibility that they will be used for corneal transplant. In some instances the sclera or white part of the eye may be used in ocular surgery procedures.

If corneas are not suitable for transplant, the tissue may be used for research and teaching purposes. Research tissue is provided to researchers investigating the causes and treatments for such diseases as glaucoma, macular degeneration, or diabetic retinopathy.