How Cornea Donation Works
When an individual dies in a hospital or other medical facility, a hospital staff member alerts the non-profit donation agencies. We then evaluate available medical information to determine what each individual is eligible to donate.
Family Involvement
If the individual is determined to be an eligible tissue donor, a trained SightLife representative will contact appropriate family to offer information about tissue donation. If the deceased had registered as a tissue donor through their local Department of Licensing or other official online registry, our representative will be sure to share that information with the family.
What Happens
After approval for donation, SightLife facilitates the careful and sensitive recovery of appropriate tissue in the hope of transplantation. Once the recovery is complete, the family's funeral home can then begin preparations for a viewing or other service. Later, our staff will follow up with the donor's family to provide additional resources and care.
Common Misconceptions
There is no cost to the donor's family for any form of tissue or organ donation. Also, tissue and organ donation will not prevent the family from having a viewing, if so desired. Wearing glasses or having other eye disorders – even blindness – does not prevent a person from donating corneas!
