About Eye Donations

About The Singapore Eye Bank
The Singapore Eye Bank was established in 1993. It is a non-profit, independent organization.

The aim of the SEB is to procure, process and distribute tissue of the highest quality for transplantation in Singapore.

In Singapore today, there is a growing list of patients who are blind and waiting for a corneal graft operation to restore their sight.

Questions & Answers about Eye Donation

What is eye donation?
It's giving your corneas upon death to help save and restore the sight of someone who is blinded by disease of the cornea.

What is the cornea?
The cornea is the clear transparent window in front of the eye, and allows light to enter the eye. The cornea can be damaged by injury or infection.

How can corneal donation help people?
A damaged or cloudy cornea can be replaced surgicially by a procedure known as conreal transplantation. During this operation, the cloudy, diseased cornea is replaced by a healthy, normal cornea which is donated by another individual. After a successful transplant, vision can be restored to normal. Corneal donation therefore restores vision to those blinded by corneal disease.

Why should I consider corneal donation?
Because for many, the only hope of sight is offered by someone who donates his cornea. Donating your corneas is one of the most precious gifts you will ever bestow on another human being. This special gift will dramatically improve the quality of life for someone now living in darkness. Hundreds of people have been helped through corneal donation. They've been given a new lease on life because others have cared enough to be come donors. But, hundreds more are waiting for desperately needed corneal donations. The demand for corneas far exceeds the supply. People like you can help change the situation!

Does The Human Organ Transplant Act (Hota) Apply To Corneal Donation?
No, the Human Organ Tranplant Act (HOTA) does not apply to corneal donation. HOTA is only applicable to kidney donation. Donating your corneas or other organs and tissues is a voluntary and a personal decision.

Will removal of the cornea disfigure the face?
Absolutely not! The body is treated with respect. Only the cornea and not the whole eye is removed. It is about the size and shape of a contact lens. Corneal removal is performed shortly after death and should not delay funeral arrangements. Also, it is still possible to have an open-casket funeral service, as one is not able to detect that corneal donation has been achieved.

Can I donate my eyes if I have vision problems?
Yes! Your eyes may be useful even if you have poor vision. You are never too young or too old to be an eye donor. People with short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism can also donate their eyes. Even people with eye diseases other than corneal disease can donate their eyes.

Does my religion support eye donation?
Yes. All major religions in Singapore support cornea donation.

How can I become an eye or cornea donor?
If you are 18 or older, just fill out an Organ Donor Card. You can also contact the Singapore Eye Bank hotline: (65) 62277 255 or Fax: (65) 6227 5080 An Organ Donor Card will be issued to you by the Ministry of Health. Carry the card with you at all times. It will instantly alert medical personnel to your wishes.

Can my next of kin donate my corneas for me?
Yes. Just inform your family of your decision to donate your eyes. Immediate family members, or your next of kin may also give consent for eye donation under The Law: The Medical (Therapy, Research and Education) Act, 1972.

Discuss your decision with your family.
A completed donor card is a legal document.
However, it's very important to let your family know your wishes. After the passing away of a loved one, immediate family members are often faced with the decision as to whether they should consider eye donation. If the loved one has previously communicated the wish to doante his or her corneas, then the decision is much easier for the family.

Explain why you want to become a donor.
Talk about how becoming a donor can help:

others who are blind and waiting for a cornea donor the grieving family, who may find comfort in knowing that something positive has come from a loved one's death.

Discuss any concerns that they have may
For example, let your family know that becoming a donor:

should not interfere with funeral arrangements or disfigure the body will not interfere with attempts to save your life you'll receive the same high-quality medical care that a nondonor receives

Encourage others to become donors
But, remember, becoming a donor is a personal decision.