Q: What is an eye bank? Top
The eye bank is a nonprofit organization and obtains, medically evaluates and distributes eye which are donated by humanitarian minded citizens for use in cornea transplants, scleral reconstruction, research and education. To ensure patient safety the donated eyes and the donor's medical history are evaluated by the eye bank staff in accordance with the Eye Bank association of America's (EBAA) strict medical standards.
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Q: Who can be an eye donor? Top
Anyone. Cataracts, poor eye sight and age do not prohibit you from becoming a donor. Prospective donors should indicate their intention on donor cards and driver's licenses. Perhaps the most important single thing you can do is make your next of in aware of your wishes to make sure they are carried out.
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Q: What is cornea? Top
The cornea is the clear surface at the front of the eye and is the main focusing element. Should the cornea become cloudy from disease, injury, infection or any other cause, vision will be drastically reduced.
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Q: How can I become a donor? Top
The most important action you can take to ensure you will be a donor is to tell your family and legal representative. Most states now require that families be offered the option of donation when a loved one dies. Families may give consent for donation. It is most helpful if they know how you feel in advance. A donor card can serve as an indication to your family, your legal representative and hospitals of your intention to be an eye donor.
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Q: When does the donation take place? Top
The surgical removal of the eye tissue is performed soon after the time of death, ensuring the tissue is in the best possible condition for transplant. This also makes sure that the funeral arrangements are not delayed in any way. Because the removal causes no disfiguration, an open casket is still an option for the donor family.
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Q: What is Diabetic Retinopathy? Top
Diabetic Retinopathy is essentially a disease process, which affects the blood vessels of the retina. It is also an indicator of the status of blood vessels elsewhere in the body e.g. kidney, heart, etc.
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Q: What is Glaucoma? Top
Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve head caused by the increase of the fluid pressure in the eye.
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Q: What are the possible side effects? Top
Common side effects include glare, foreign body sensation and light sensitivity as the epithelium grows back over the cornea in the first two to three days. You may also have a corneal haze (clouding of the corneal tissues), which usually occurs two to four weeks after laser treatment. But this usually disappears with time.
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Q: Can both eyes be treated at the same time? Top
PRK is performed on one eye at a time. At present, the interval between the two procedures will be determined by the condition of your first treated eye and by your ophthalmologist- it is usually between 3 and 4 months.
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Q: What is Cataract? Top
Cataract is opacity in the lens of the eye. The normal lens is transparent and allows light to reach the retina. When it becomes opaque (Cataract) light does not reach the retina and the patient is unable to see clearly.
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Q: Will I need glasses after surgery? Top
Very often not. You may need to wear glasses only to fine-tune your vision. These are normal glasses and not those "thick" spectacles as in the past. Phaco and small incision cataract surgery is probably a great leap forward in the field of ophthalmic surgery.
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Q: What is after Cataract? Top
In about 25% of the patient who undergo cataract surgery, thickening of the posterior capsule of the original lens occurs causing mild blurring of vision. This can occur anytime between 3 months to 5 years after surgery. The treatment for this is very simple.
We do what is called Laser Treatment for these patients. The 'Yag Laser' is used to make a small opening in the thickened capsule behind the IOL. It is a painless, outpatient procedure.
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