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It was so
exciting recently to see news of the
grandmother who got a corneal tr ansplant
and was able to see her grandchildren for
the first time. The newspaper readers must
be so
happy to see stories about any person who
can have his or her sight
restored.
Corneal transplant surgery has become one
of the safest transplant operations that
can be done.
The cornea is the clear, round "window" of
tissue that is the front of the eye,
covering the blue or brown iris. It must
be crystal clear to have good vision.
When your cornea is scarred or cloudy from
an injury or infection, then it no longer
functions as the clear "window" and needs
to be replaced for vision to be regained.
A corneal transplant is an operation that
transfers living corneal tissue from a
recently deceased donor to a person who
needs it. This surgery is the most
successful of all human transplant
surgeries. The impressive and miraculous
results and the high success rate have
become possible only in recent years
because of the powerful surgical
microscopes, microscopic stitches, and the
excellent team work of all the personnel
in local medical facilities.
The corneal transplant to restore clear
vision is the most successful transplant
performed today and may even restore a
perfect 20/20 vision.
Doctors and nurses are often asked, "Who
can be an eye donor?"
Well, you are never too old or too young
to donate your eyes for others. The
quality of your vision does not matter.
Your age, sex, or race does not matter,
nor does the fact that you wear glasses.
Even people with previous eye problems or
people who have had eye surgery may donate
their corneas. If they wish, they may
donate their whole eyes. Their eyes are
especially valuable for research -- to
discover cures for eye diseases and to
help prevent blindness in others.
There is absolutely no cost to the donor
or to the donor's family or estate.
Donations do not alter the appearance of
the donor or delay any funeral
arrangements or memorial services.
There is no greater gift that can be given
than the gift of a new life. You gift
could mean the new life, sight, health,
and hope for someone special.
If you want to help, call the Lion's Eye
Bank in Tampa at 1-800-277-2020. |
