There is an urgent need for organ donors.Over 46,000 people in the United States have their sight restored by organ and tissue donors each year.You're helping restore someone's vision and furthering medical research by donating your eyes.Learning how to donate your eyes after you pass away can bring a sense of purpose to your life and leave a lasting legacy.
Step 1: Make a decision.
If you choose to donate your eyes, your cornea is removed and replaced with a new one.The sclera is sometimes used for eyelid and eye repairs.Ocular disease or scarring of the cornea is the most common reason why people need a transplant, but there are many other reasons.Your donation can help restore someone's vision.People over the age of 100 are recipients of donations.The quality of your medical care won't be affected by your decision to be a donor.The physician who certifies your death won't be involved in the collection process because donations are only procured after you've been declared dead.
Step 2: Talk to your family.
Let your family know you want to be a donor.There is still a mandatory next-of-kin cooperation clause in some states even after you have made it official.Depending on where you live, keeping your family out of the loop on your decision to be a donor may delay or even prevent the process.Donor's registration is sufficient in some states, and no next-of-kin consent is required.This is different by state.No matter what state you are in, let your family know that you want to be a donor.
Step 3: Seek advice from a spiritual leader.
Some people don't want to become a donor because they fear there will be a religious objection.The fear is that this may violate some spiritual rule, or it could bar a donor from being buried in the cemetery of her choosing.If you're feeling anxious about donating your eyes or other organs, you may want to consult with your spiritual leader.Most major religions support the choice to donate eyes, organs, and tissue after death and those that don't have an official position on the matter usually believe that it is an individual decision.It is possible to find peace of mind with your decision to donate if you talk to your priest, rabbi, imam, or other spiritual leader.
Step 4: Determine your state's requirements.
Every state has different requirements for the donation process.If you were registered to donate in one state and moved to another, you may have to register again in different states.Every state performs eye and corneal transplants.State laws only affect how you register, whether your family needs to give consent, and when the donation is collected after you die.Many states do not impose age restrictions on donors.Search online for how to become an eye donor in your state.
Step 5: You can enroll in a state registry.
Every state has a unique organ donor registry.Signing up in your state's donor registry is the best way to ensure that your donations go to a recipient in need.You can find your state's registry at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.If you want to learn how to enroll in your state's registry, click on the interactive map.
Step 6: Donate through a charity.
Your state's organ donor registry has some eye banks and non-profit organizations working with it.You can enroll with your state's registry through a non-profit or eye bank if you haven't already done so.If you register with your state's registry, your donation will be put to use where it is needed.If you have a dedication to a particular eye bank or non-profit group, you may be more comfortable starting the process with them.There is no right or wrong way to register in your state.It's up to you, what you feel most comfortable with as a donor.You should beware of intent registries.An intent registry isn't linked with your state's registry, so your next of kin will still need to give his or her consent.
Step 7: A relative should make the arrangements.
It's a good idea to let everyone in your family know that you want to donate your organs.In order to make sure that your final arrangements are carried out, you may want to state your intentions to be a donor in your advance directives, will, and living will.You should also tell your friends, spiritual leader, and your attorney if you have one.This will make sure there are no uncertainties about your decision.
Step 8: Alert the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Some states may not allow you to register at the Department of Motor Vehicles.You can designate your decision to be an organ donor on your driver's license.If anything happens to you, the medical professionals trying to save your life will see your ID and know that they should preserve your organs and alert the parties responsible for donation procurement in your state if you don't survive.You can use your driver's license to indicate that you are an organ donor.Donor wallet cards are also issued by some states.If medical professionals can't save your life, you should keep these in your wallet with your regular ID card.
Step 9: Find out who is eligible.
A lot of people can be eye donors.In most states, you don't have to match your blood type to your recipient's.If you have poor eyesight, your donation can be used to restore someone's vision.After you die, your blood and tissue are tested for diseases.Doctors can also look at your medical, family, and social history.If you had a communicable, life-threatening illness like HIV or hepatitis, or if you died by drown, you would not be able to donate.Even if you have cancer, you can still donate your eyes as long as the recipient is not at risk for cancer.If your donation can't be used for transplants due to medical problems, you can still use it for medical education and transplant research with your family's consent.
Step 10: Who will benefit from your donation?
Donations can help anyone.If you want your family to designate someone, you may be able to.When a recipient is scheduled for surgery, your eye donation goes to that person the most.The average number of donations in a given week can be predicted by surgeons and donation coordinators, who often schedule surgeries in advance knowing that a donation will be made in time.Donations can help anyone.Donations go to infants, the elderly, and everyone in between.
Step 11: Understand how the process works.
Your physician will certify your death when you die.The quality of your medical care will not be affected by your decision to donate, as the physician is not involved in procuring donations in any way.After you are declared dead, a team of medical professionals will perform a number of tests on you.If you are a registered donor, your donation may be procured more quickly.If you are not a registered donor, your family may want to know your wishes for your body.There is a time limit of only a few hours after you pass before your eyes are no longer usable for transplants.Any funeral arrangements you or your family make will not be delayed by the collection of your donation.Donating your eyes won't affect your appearance at the wake or funeral.You can still have an open-casket viewing.Corneal and ocular donations can only be used for 14 days.Due to the need for donations, most donations are used within one to four days.The person receiving your donation will have the surgery done.Over 85% of recipients have successfully-restored vision after a corneal transplant.