Why Eye Banks Partner With NDRI
Researchers investigating a wide range of blinding eye diseases and disorders rely on donated human eyes and eye tissues for their research. Progress in treating cataracts, macular degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy and other eye disorders hinges on access to both normal and diseased human eyes or eye tissues. But these donated organs and tissues are often in short supply.
The eye bank is in a unique position to further such research, which may ultimately benefit millions of people. Many eye donors with corneas not suitable for transplant can still donate whole eyes or eye tissues for research, giving patients and families the opportunity to contribute to the fight against blindness. Many eye tissues valuable to research can be recovered without interfering with the regular recovery of corneas for transplantation.