LIONS EYE BANK OF DELAWARE VALLEY
THE GIFT OF SIGHT
Presented To
Kimberton Area Lions Club
District 14-P
Lion Robert Toff
President
LEBDV History
 Formed by Local Lions in 1957 to service
Delaware, New Jersey and southeastern
Pennsylvania.
 We have provided tissue for more than 35,000
corneal transplants.
Mission/Vision Statement
The Lions Eye Bank of Delaware
Valley is committed to enhancing
a person’s quality of life by
restoring or improving vision
through corneal transplantation,
medical research and education.
The Lions Eye Bank of Delaware
Valley will be the region’s
recognized leader in the
procurement and processing of
the highest quality ocular tissue.
Major Events in Eye Banking
 1905
 1925
 1961
 1974
 1993
 1995
 1998
 2008
First successful Corneal Transplant
After a plea from Helen Keller, Lions International took on
sight conservation as a mission which led to the recovery
of eyes by volunteer Lions for corneal transplants.
The Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) was
established by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
McCarey-Kaufman (MK), the first long term storage
solution extending corneal preservation to 72 hours.
Optisol storage solution was developed, allowing corneas
to be stored for up to 14 days.
State Routine Referral Laws put in place in PA put an
end to the waiting list for a transplant.
Federal Routine Referral Laws increase the number of
available donors throughout the United States.
LEBDV begins preparing tissue for EK with new
DSAEK system.
Who needs a corneal transplant?
 Congenital birth defects
 Blunt injury to the eye
 Chemical burns
 Infections
 Corneal diseases
 Keratoconus
 Corneal Edema
 Fuch’s Dystrophy
 PBK (Pseudophalic Bullous
Keratopathy)
 Other age related diseases
How is a corneal transplant performed?
Traditional PKP
Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP)
How is a corneal transplant performed?
Traditional PKP
Penetrating Keratoplasty (PKP)
How does it work?
How is a corneal transplant performed?
Newer Procedure: DSAEK
Descemets Stripping Automated Endothelial
Keratoplasty (DSAEK):
 Replaces only the damaged layer +
 Speedy recovery +
 Less discomfort +
 Stronger graft +
 Technically challenging –
 Requires very expensive equipment –
 No long term results yet
Lamellar/Endothelial Transplant
Preparing the Cornea for DSAEK
Centering cornea on pedestal
Preparing the Cornea for DSAEK
Adjusting cornea on
pedestal prior to
locking into position
Moria Microkeratome
Assembled and
prepared to cut
Preparing the Cornea for DSAEK
Technician
initiating pre-cut
procedure
Preparing the Cornea for DSAEK
Counter-clockwise
sweep of blade
Endothelial Transplant
Bubble holds donor
graft in place
Old –vs– New
Cornea Surgery
 Today, cornea transplants are performed as an
outpatient procedure.
 More than 40,000 cornea transplants are performed
each year in the United States.
 In 2010, 887 recipients residing in PA, DE and NJ
received cornea transplants through LEBDV.
 Cornea Transplant surgery has a success rate of 97%.
2010 Cornea Recipients
in LEBDV Service Area
304
486
97
Eye Banking Today
 Since 1995, we have eliminated a local waiting list for transplants.
 The current situation has given rise to higher quality standards for
transplantable tissue.
 Once staffed primarily by volunteers, Eye Banks are now fully
staffed with Certified Eye Bank Technicians and various
administrative staff.
 Federal government has taken large steps in the regulation of
human tissue in recent years.
 Medical advancement in Organ and Tissue transplantation
continues to have dramatic effects on Eye Bank operations. We have
become part of a much larger group of transplant organizations.
Part of the Transplant Network
Organ
Procurement
Tissue Banks
Organizations
FDA
Hospital
CMS
Administration
EYE BANKS
Other Services We Provide
 Eye Glass assistance program
 Tissue for research and medical education
 Gratis tissue for transplant
 Community education
 Professional education
 The list goes on and on
Ways to Give and Be Recognized
 General donations
 Life Memberships
 Memorial donations
 Directed donations
 Equipment fund
 Foundation giving (fellowships available)
Kimberton Area Lions Club
Over $13,058.50 in Donations
1985 — 2011
THANK YOU!
Help Give the Gift of Sight
Please Keep the Miracle of Sight
a Reality for Years to Come…
Carlie’s Gifts Changed Lives…
Unexpectedly, at age 11, Carlie did not recover
from a severe seizure.
When it determined there were no more miracles
for their little girl, Carlie’s family decided to create
a miracle for another family.
The decision to donate Carlie’s corneas and organs
was such easy one for her family to make because
of the kind of person Carlie was.
“Her arms were always open and she had a
constant smile on her face. Carlie was an
extremely giving person,” says her mother, Maria.
Carlie’s family looks at cornea and organ donation
as an obvious and only choice. “Why not give? A
part of Carlie will live through someone else,” said
Maria.
A Great Gift…
… A Letter From A Recipient
My sincerest condolences for the tragic loss of your loved one. I hope,
however, that some solace can be taken in knowing that a great gift
has resulted from this tragedy as I was the recipient of a donor cornea
from your loved one. Thanks to this, I can see out of my right eye for
the first time in twelve years! This gift will allow me to continue my
work as a television producer; be able to enjoy playing soccer: a game
I have loved since I was five years old; but, most important, I am able
to wake up in the morning and see my wife’s face. I will always value
this blessing and treasure the gift that your sacrifice has given me.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Andy
A very grateful donor recipient
Cornea
Distribution
New Jersey
Jan-Dec 2010
Cornea
Distribution
Pennsylvania
Jan-Dec 2010
Cornea
Distribution
Delaware
Jan-Dec 2010
LIONS EYE BANK OF DELAWARE VALLEY
Helping Create Miracles
OVER 50 YEARS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
1957 — 2011
THANK YOU!