Manager of Hospital Development Lions Eye Bank at Albany Joann Beach, MA, CEBT Manager of Hospital Development Sight Society of NENY Lions Eye Bank at Albany Restoring sight since 1952
Mission The Sight Society of Northeastern New York (Lions Eye Bank at Albany) is a private non-profit organization dedicated to providing ocular tissue for transplantation, medical education and research.
Sight Society of NENY The World’s First Lions Eye Provide corneas and sclera for transplant – worldwide. Service area 29 Counties in New York State and 1 County in Massachusetts.
We work in collaboration with MTF – Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation and CDT – Center for Donation & Transplant
How prevalent is corneal transplantation? One of the most frequently performed human transplant procedures. Since 1961 more than 700,000 corneal transplants have been performed, restoring sight to men, women, and children ranging in age from 9 days to 103 years. 2014 LEBA restored sight to over 350 people Over 90% of all corneal transplant operations successfully restore the recipient's vision.
"Ok, were ready for the donor cornea. Oh, very good "Ok, were ready for the donor cornea ... Oh, very good. I see we once again have a good selection"
Governance Licensed by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) Certified by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) Registered with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Laws Regarding Donation 1998 CMS “Final Rule” To meet the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Service’s Condition of Participation (CoP). All deaths and imminent deaths must be reported to the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization (OPO) to ascertain medical suitability. Only trained Designated Requestors will be allowed to offer the option of eye, organ and tissue donation to families.
Referrals Shared organ or tissue case we are notified by CDT/MTF of a consented case Patients ruled out for tissue donation are passed to the eye bank. You will receive a call back from Lions Eye Bank at Albany to review for donor suitability
Federal Register/Vol.65, No.250 Rules and Regulations, pp.82816 HIPAA Regulations Federal Register/Vol.65, No.250 Thursday, December 28, 2000 Rules and Regulations, pp.82816 Part 164.512(h) Uses and disclosures for which consent, an authorization, or opportunity to agree or object is not required. Uses and disclosures for cadaveric organ, eye, or tissue donation purposes. A covered entity may use or disclose protected health information to organ procurement organizations or other entities engaging in the procurement, banking, or transplantation of cadaveric organs, eyes, or tissue for the purpose of facilitating organ, eye, or tissue donation and transplantation.
What we need Name, age, sex of patient Date & time of death Cause of death, admitting Dx Pertinent Medical History Ventilated? Next of Kin information
What we are looking for Sepsis – documented Infectious - contagious Autoimmune diseases Documented neurological disease
Who can be a donor? Age - 1 to 70 (transplant) Any age for research/education History of cataracts, poor eyesight, diabetes, glaucoma or cancer will not prevent you from being a donor.
What Can Be Donated? Cornea Whole globe Transplant Medical Research Sclera Stem Cell Transplant Medical Research Medical Education
Recovery & Preservation Recovery of the cornea must be performed within 12-18 hours after death has been declared. Preservation solution: Optisol GS
Recovery - Location Hospital Room/Bedside Morgue Operating Room Funeral Home – transplant only
Recovery Trained eye bank technicians – full time/per diem Transportation of eye tissue – by eye bank staff or the New York State Police
Distribution of Donated Eye Tissue Viable for transplant up to 14 days Emergency Local Surgeons New York State United States The World
Why would someone need a cornea transplant?
Focusing element of the eye Healthy Cornea Damaged Cornea
Corneal blindness a disorder that results from the cornea becoming clouded making a person unable to see. This condition can result from a variety of diseases, injury or infection.
Corneal Transplant
Traditional Transplant - Full thickness
The Future of Cornea Transplants DESEK: Eye bank staff to perform cutting edge tissue preparations.
Advantages of DSEK: More rapid recovery Shorter procedure for patients Contact lenses or strong glasses are less likely to be necessary – no sutures Less risk of rejection
Corneal Transplant Surgery KPRO Artificial Cornea Used after 2 or more failed grafts
Medical Research & Education Corneal procurement is performed by one person.
Locally Supported Research
Locally Supported Research Surgical Techniques and suturing RPK PKP EK DMEK Dry Eye Syndrome
Family Aftercare Support Facilitate correspondence between donor family and recipients Education about grief and mourning Opportunities to honor and/or memorialize their family member: Donor Memorial Service, Remembrance Quilts Opportunities to participate in community events
On behalf of all of those waiting or who have received an organ or tissue transplant Thank you!