The cornea is the transparent surface of the eye. Its transparency and integrity are essential for vision. Injuries, infections or other diseases can impair the function of the cornea. Patients of all ages can go blind or become severely visually impaired as a result, so that they are restricted in their lifestyle and dependent on assistance.

One possible treatment for corneal diseases is transplantation, which is carried out at the University Eye Hospital. Corneal transplants have been performed for over 100 years and are therefore the oldest form of organ transplantation. Depending on the underlying disease, a transplantation of the entire cornea (penetrating keratoplasty) or only a corneal lamella as in descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) can be performed. The results of these operations are good. An improvement in visual acuity can be achieved. A corneal donation is a prerequisite for transplantation.

Almost anyone can become a corneal donor after their death, as only a few diseases preclude a donation. People who wear glasses or contact lenses, people with eye diseases, after eye operations or with systemic diseases can also be considered as donors. An older age of the donor does not affect the quality of the cornea. When completing the organ donor card, you can opt for the removal of all organs in the event of death or only for individual organs or tissue, such as the cornea. If the deceased does not have an organ donor card, the next of kin can decide in the deceased's favour whether they would have agreed to a donation during their lifetime.

In contrast to organs such as the heart, kidney or liver, the cornea can be removed up to 72 hours after the death of the donor. If there is no medical reason not to donate, the cornea is removed under sterile conditions with the donor's consent. This is carried out in a reverent and gentle manner by specially trained medical staff at our clinic. The removal is aesthetically inconspicuous from the outside, so that it is hardly noticeable on the face later. The corneas are then comprehensively analysed and tested for quality and safety in the tissue and cell bank of the Institute for Clinical Transfusion Medicine and Immunogenetics Ulm (IKT). This guarantees a high quality of tissue with maximum patient safety. For the recipients of corneas, transplantation is an opportunity to regain good vision and thus significantly improve their quality of life.