Did you know that you could help give someone sight through a generous gift of eye donation.

Seriously.

Corneas from donated eyes can preserve vision for some people in danger of losing their sight to injury or disease. The cornea is the clear tissue covering the colored part of the eye and focuses light entering the eye.

“A corneal transplant is the most successful of all tissue transplants,” said Dr. Jackson T. Giles, a Georgia eye doctor in Newnan. “More than 43,000 cornea transplants are made from donor eyes each year. In addition, some 38,000 donor eyes are used each year for research on eye disease and conditions that threaten vision.”

March is National Eye Donor Month and the Eye Bank Association of America would like everyone to consider becoming a donor. Eye donation does not affect the appearance of the donor, and donors' identities are kept confidential.

To become a donor, simply fill out a donor card indicating your donor status on your driver's license. “Family consent is required at the time of donation,” said Giles. “It is very important to share your desire to donate with your family.”

For information, phone the Eye Bank Association of America at 202-775-4999 or the American Academy of Ophthalmology at 415-561-8500.

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