Philanthropy Friday: Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank

March is National Eye Donor Month and the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank wants to let the public know about the ongoing need for eye donors.

Founded in 1973, the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank began as a philanthropic project of area Lions Clubs. Today, Lions Clubs throughout central and southern Ohio continue to provide a community foundation to promote eye donation for corneal transplant surgeries, physician education and training, and eye research. Last year they provided the gift of sight to 400 beneficiaries and since inception have facilitated the successful collection and transplantation of over 10,000 corneas.

Corneas For Transplantation

The cornea is the clear, front “window” portion of the eye, which is about the size of a dime. It may be small in size; however, the cornea plays a big role in eye site. Those who have had damage to the cornea from diseases or injuries frequently suffer from “clouding” of the cornea, reducing or destroying sight. There are also patients who suffer from misshapen corneas, a condition called keratoconus, which can be painful and can severely distort vision. Corneal diseases and injuries can occur to anyone, at any time. Infants can have a birth defect that cause their corneas to be opaque, requiring transplants within the first weeks of life while many other corneal diseases and injuries affect children, teens, adults and the elderly. For these patients there is no alternative treatment and transplants are their only hope for regaining sight.

Because of the urgent need, the Eye Bank operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, with round-the-clock staffing. When an eye donor is identified in one of the 60 hospitals within their 45 Ohio county service area, their staff must quickly respond. The Eye Bank reviews the potential donor’s medical history, recovers the donor eyes or corneas, and carefully examines and prepares the corneas for transplantation in their state-of-the-art laboratory.

Corneas For Training and Research

In addition to providing corneas for transplantation, donor eyes that do not meet the strict medical criteria for transplants are also needed for training eye doctors and for eye research. Advances in eye care are made possible thanks to eye donors, as physicians and researchers have the opportunity to study and better understand ocular structure, function, disease processes, and potential treatments and cures. Whenever possible, the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank supports these activities.

Education is Key

Providing both professional and public education about eye donation and corneal transplantation is extremely important. In hospitals, the Eye Bank trains health care professionals to discuss eye donation with the families of potential eye donors. This education provides families with the facts that can help them understand and make informed decisions about eye donation. Public education is aimed at maintaining and increasing the needed ongoing supply of corneas. The Eye Bank always encourages people to consider giving the precious gift of sight.

Critical Need

One of the most critical, ongoing needs is for people to consider becoming eye donors. Without them, the Eye Bank cannot offer corneas for sight restoring transplant surgeries. Many people do not realize that they are eligible to donate their eyes upon their death. For example, it is a myth that wearing glasses makes eye donation impossible. A person who needs corrective lenses can still have healthy corneas that will make a huge difference in the lives of patients who need transplants!

Donation is easy through the Ohio Donor Registry, which can be done when you get your drivers’ licenses at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. It can also be done online, at www.ohiobmv.gov – under the heading “BMV Online Services” click Organ and Tissue Donor Registry.

Other Ways to Help

Donations to the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank are always welcomed and support their sight-restoring mission by helping to purchase laboratory equipment and off-set costs associated with all needs for cornea transplantation, even making it possible to provide corneas to all patients who need them regardless of their ability to pay. Donations can be mailed to Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank, 262 Neil Avenue, Suite 140, Columbus, Ohio 43215. You can download a donation information sheet here.

Volunteers also pay a big role in assisting the Central Ohio Eye Bank. Volunteers help make the public aware of the need for eye donors, through distribution of information in print, posters, and public speaking. Lions Club members serve as volunteer drivers, making themselves available all hours of the day and night for deliveries. The Eye Bank also seek community members for service on their volunteer Development Advisory Board, which is charged with expanding both the Eye Bank profile in the community and with fund-raising activities. Anyone interested can contact Paul Held, the Volunteer Services Coordinator, at 614-545-2096, for further information.

Play Ball

On July 25th, the Central Ohio Eye Bank will be hosting their second annual “Eye Bank Night at the Clippers,” and the public can purchase tickets for the ball game through the Central Ohio Lions Eye Bank, so that proceeds benefit the organization’s mission. Sections 1, 2 & 3 are reserved for seating. Ticket prices are $11.00 and $27.00. The $27.00 tickets include a reception on the second level with food and drinks. If you’re interested in purchasing tickets email the Eye Bank at info@coleb.org.

Most of us take our vision for granted and are very fortunate that we can. But for patients whose sight has been compromised or lost, life becomes challenging in ways that may be unimaginable to those of us who are sighted. One of the greatest difficulties patients without sight face is the dependence they feel on others for even simple, daily tasks like driving to the grocery store, reading the newspaper, going online, and seeing the faces of their family. It is through the mission and vision of the Central Ohio Eye Bank that they hope to open greater opportunities for sight restoration.

For more information on the Central Ohio Eye Bank visit their website, www.DonateMyEyes.org.

To read some touching testimonials about The Central Ohio Eye Bank visit www.inkindconnection.com.

Philanthropy Friday is a feature article by Michele Savoldi that will highlight a Columbus area non-profit organization every other week. For more nonprofit information follow Michele on Twitter at @cbusimpressions and @inkindconnect.