[Eye banks and available transplants].
BACKGROUND
Eye banks have procured, processed and stored donor corneas for decades. In parallel, new techniques have emerged employing allogeneic transplantation of various cells and tissues from the eye banks. This progress is a consequence of increased knowledge of stem cells, cell kinetics and immunological aspects and improved techniques for cell culturing, tissue storage and microsurgery.


METHODS
Review article on available transplants for treating eye diseases, based on experience with eye banking, clinical ophthalmological practice, own research and literature retrieved from PubMed, Medline and www.google.com.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment techniques for eye diseases, which require biological material for grafting, need efficient eye banks for continuous supply of donor material of high quality. New Norwegian legislation, based on implementation of EU Directive 2004/23/EC, demands authorization of all eye banks. The EU Directive sets high and rigorous standards for quality and safety for donation, procurement, testing, processing, storage and distribution of tissues and cells. Well-run eye banks are of great importance for modern treatment of patients suffering from eye diseases and for progress and research in ophthalmology.
Slettedal
Jon Klokk
JK
Senter for øyeforskning, Øyeavdelingen, Ullevål universitetssykehus, 0407 Oslo. jon.klokk.slettedal@gmail.com
Drolsum
Liv
L
Ramstad
Hanne
H
Nicolaissen
Bjørn
B
D016039:Corneal Transplantation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000637:transplantation; D005125:Eye Banks / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D005143:Eyelids / Q000637:transplantation; D006801:Humans; D012590:Sclera / Q000637:transplantation; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards