ABO Eye Banking Service
ABO Eye Banking Service is an organization committed to improving vision and ocular health through expert eye banking. We focus on the collection, preservation, and distribution of eye tissues for both transplantation and research purposes. Our mission is to restore sight and advance ocular health with reliability and compassion, ensuring that every patient receives the highest quality care and support.
Eye Banking Process at ABO
At ABO Eye Bank, our process for handling eye donations is designed to ensure the highest standards of care and effectiveness.
- Donation Registration and Consent:
- Pre-Donation: Individuals can register as eye donors through ABO Eye Bank’s programs or through partner organizations. We also provide information to families about the importance of eye donation.
- Consent: Upon a donor’s passing, we obtain consent for eye donation from the family or legal representatives, if it has not already been provided through prior registration.
- Donor Identification and Eligibility:
- Identification: We receive notifications of potential donors from hospitals, funeral homes, or other sources.
- Eligibility Screening: Our team reviews the donor’s medical history and cause of death to ensure the eye tissues meet our criteria for donation, excluding cases with certain health conditions.
- Eye Tissue Retrieval:
- Surgical Procedure: A skilled ophthalmic surgeon performs the retrieval of eye tissues within 6 to 12 hours of death to ensure viability. This procedure is conducted in a sterile environment to maintain the quality of the tissues.
- Tissue Preparation: Retrieved tissues, including corneas and sometimes sclerae, are carefully prepared for preservation.
- Preservation:
- Storage: The eye tissues are placed in a specialised preservation solution and stored under controlled conditions to ensure their viability.
- Transport: We ensure timely transportation of the preserved tissues to our facility or to designated locations.
- Processing and Evaluation:
- Testing: We conduct thorough tests on the tissues to confirm their quality and to ensure they are free from diseases or abnormalities.
- Evaluation: Our team evaluates the tissues to determine their suitability for transplantation or research.
- Distribution:
- Matching: We match available tissues with patients on our waiting list based on compatibility and medical need.
- Delivery: The tissues are then delivered to medical facilities where they will be used for transplantation or research purposes.
- Follow-Up and Record Keeping:
- Tracking: We maintain comprehensive records of the donation process, tissue usage, and outcomes for quality assurance and tracking.
- Communication: We provide updates and support to donor families, sharing information on the impact of their loved one’s donation and offering ongoing assistance.
Preventing Computer Vision Syndrome
- Ergonomic Workspace Setup: Design workspaces to promote good posture and reduce strain.
- Regular Eye Exams: Schedule routine eye examinations to detect and correct vision problems early.
- Proper Lighting: Use appropriate lighting to minimise glare and reflections.
- Screen Positioning: Position screens at a comfortable distance and angle.
- Frequent Breaks: Incorporate regular breaks to rest the eyes and reduce strain.
- Eye Protection: Use computer glasses or anti-reflective coatings to reduce glare.