A Look Through
Corneal transplantation is the most commonly
performed transplant procedure, with nearly 50,000
new recipients each year in the U.S. alone.
Over the past century, a dramatic evolution in recovery,
preparation and surgical techniques combined to
change the transplant experience – from lengthy
hospital stays and modest results to outpatient
procedures and near-perfect vision for many patients.
1900s
First successful
cornea transplant
is performed in
1905, nearly 50
years before the
first organ
transplant.
1940s
The first eye bank is
established in 1944,
providing a system
for recovering and
distributing eye tissue
for transplantation.
In 1947, the first affiliate
eye bank of what would
become the Eversight
network is established
in Illinois.
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These innovations are made possible by the dedication
of surgeons, researchers and eye bank professionals
who work together to advance treatments for blinding
eye diseases.
Here’s a brief look back at the journey and the miracle
of sight restoration.
1960s
The Eye Bank Association
of America (EBAA) is
founded in 1961 to create
a community of eye
banks that work together
to share knowledge and
best practices. In 1968 the
Uniform Anatomical Gift
Act lays the foundation
for modern donor registry
systems and First Person
Authorization law.
1980s
EBAA establishes the
first-ever medical
standards and ethics
policies to ensure the
safety and quality of
tissue for transplants.
The organization begins
its accreditation program
in 1981 to ensure eye
banks meet the highest
standard of practice.