title: An eye banking program for selecting donor corneas for surgical distribution.
abstract: Since fewer donated corneas have become available for surgery, we sought to chart the reasons to exclude them for surgical use over time. Those excluded from surgical use (1991-1994) were plotted using an algorithm based on the reasons for exclusion. Four general categories (universal contraindications [UC], national/local medical criteria [NLMC], serology, and morphology) yielded 13 possible areas. UC and NLMC exclusions for 1993-1994 were higher compared with 1991 and 1992 (p < 0.001). The proportion of corneas excluded for serological reasons decreased (p < 0.001) from 1991 to 1994. Exclusions due to morphology remained the same for all 4 years (p = NS). NLMC eliminate older donors but also exclude younger donors before the tissue reaches the eye bank (p > 0.001). Three of four of the youngest tissues ( < 30 years) are used for surgery, whereas one of five of the oldest ( > 70 years) is used. A quality control algorithm provides a heuristic and logical paradigm for noting changes from year to year. Heightened regulation has counteracted many gains in corneal donation fostered by favorable laws.
authors.affiliation: Lions Eye Bank of Texas, Houston 77030, USA.
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Farge
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Cox
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery*; D005125:Eye Banks / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008875:Middle Aged; D011786:Quality Control; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000706:statistics & numerical data