Corneal Donation: Current Guidelines and Future Direction

Majid Moshirfar,1– 3 Varshini S Odayar,4 Shannon E McCabe,1,5 Yasmyne C Ronquillo1 1Hoopes Vision Research Center, Draper, UT, 84020, USA; 2John A. Moran Eye Center, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, 84132, USA; 3Utah Lions Eye Bank, Murray, UT, 84107, USA; 4Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA; 5Mission Hills Eye Center, Pleasant Hill, CA, 94523, USACorrespondence: Majid MoshirfarHoopes Vision Research Center, 11820 State Street, Draper, UT, 84020, USATel +1 801-568-0200Email Cornea2020@me.comPurpose: This review aims to outline current practices and guidelines of corneal donation and eye banking, describes the implications of COVID-19 and emerging diseases on the corneal donor pool, and discusses future trends to improve and increase the efficiency of the processes involved in corneal donation and eye banking.Summary: Corneal screening, preservation, corneal storage, and prevention of systemic disease transmission from donor to recipient have been crucial in shaping the policies of the FDA and eye banks across the world. Eye banks globally have developed varying guidelines and criteria for evaluating the viability of donor corneas. Variables such as the age of the donor, medical history, and potential disease transmission are important screening parameters. While known infectious diseases may be transmissible through the cornea, emerging infectious diseases that are not well studied may be more transmissible than other infections. In particular, coronavirus has impacted corneal transplantation as SARS-CoV-2 expression has been detected in corneal tissue and conjunctiva. In recent years, partial-thickness corneal transplantations have been introduced. Lamellar grafts and other corneal layers are now utilized for transplantation of the specific areas that are damaged.Keywords: donor cornea, eye bank, COVID-19, cornea transplant, keratoplasty, donor recipien