Some people who wish to become eye donors are too old at their time of death for their corneas to be used for transplant. Often, these individuals are still eligible to donate their eyes for research purposes. In fact, most people who donate their eyes for research to Florida Lions Eye Bank are registered donors over the age of 70 years. There is no upper age limit to donate eyes for research.
Occasionally, eye tissue intended for transplant cannot be used due to medical or regulatory reasons. In these instances, the tissue is still valuable for research.
Individuals who suffered from eye disease-such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and AMD- are
extremely valuable research donors.
This is because disease-specific research requires diseased.
• Eyes donated for research are vital in the development of new surgical techniques, medications, technologies, and physician training.
• There is no substitute for human tissue. Many medical breakthroughs are only possible due to the availability of human tissue for research.
• Every cure for every disease humankind has ever encountered began with research.
• Countless lives- for generations to come- can benefit from research discoveries.
• There is no cost to the donor, their family, or their estate for the donation.
• All research tissue is provided by Florida Lions Eye Bank at no cost to the researcher.
• Florida Lions Eye Bank only provides tissue to not-for-profit entities.
• Florida Lions Eye Bank's research program is funded by financial donations from our supporters.
Telephone: 305.326.6359
General Email: info@fleb.org
Distribution Email: FLEBDistribution@med.miami.edu
