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This site offers useful information on corneal transplants

Though most ophthalmologists don't perform corneal transplants as a regular part of their practice, each of you will at some time examine patients who may be good candidates for a corneal transplant procedure. Fortunately, the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) Web site, www.restoresight.org, contains a wealth of useful information on corneal transplantation that can be of value to both patients and eyecare professionals.

Corneal transplantation is the most common transplant procedure, with about 50,000 performed in the United States each year. That number stands in contrast to the approximately 2,500 heart and 5,000 kidney transplants done in this country each year. Corneal transplantation is also the oldest transplant procedure; the first such transplant was performed in 1905.

Corneal transplants are often used to treat such conditions as pseudophakic corneal edema and keratoconus. More than 90% of all corneal transplant operations successfully restore the corneal recipient's vision, except in cases of chemical burns, where the success rate is lower.

Probably the most useful area of the restoresight.org Web site is the "Frequently Asked Questions" section, which addresses every aspect of corneal transplantation, including a brief explanation of how the procedure is performed and information for potential eye donors. The Web site also provides contact information for every one of the EBAA's 92 member eye banks in North America, with direct links to many of these organizations. As you know, a large number of eye banks were created through the efforts of Lions Clubs International.

If you, or any of your patients, need basic information on corneal transplantation, eye banks, or the steps one should take to become an eye donor, restoresight.org is probably the best place to look first. It's a good bet you'll find the information you're seeking.

Visit: www.restoresight.org

If you've discovered a Web site or service that's been useful to you in practice or at home, we'd like to know about it. E-mail Jerry Helzner at helznergi@boucher1.com or call him at (215) 643-8013.