East Anglian Eye Bank

The East Anglian Eye Bank, part of the Ophthalmic Directorate, provides the national Tissue and Eye Services with high-quality human corneas for distribution to surgeons countrywide for patients requiring corneal transplant surgery.

Many dying patients may have already considered or had a conversation with their next-of-kin about wishing to be an organ and tissue donor. Our co-ordinators have only 24 hours to retrieve corneas and a good blood sample, and many potential donors are missed because information is received too late. Please call us immediately if a you have a potential eye donor.

Contacts

Eye Bank Co-ordinators

• Lisa Knights (Manager) – 07769 685048, lisa.knights@nnuh.nhs.uk
• Amanda Mabey – 07798 734760, amanda.mabey@nnuh.nhs.uk
• The National Referral Centre (NRC) – 0800 432 0559, 0151 268 7135

You will be asked to leave a few details and one of the nurses will get back to you.

Mailing address

The East Anglian Eye Bank
Nelson Day Unit
Level 2, West Block
Colney Lane
Norwich
Norfolk
NR4 7UY

FAQs

Q: What is a cornea?

A: This is the clear window we can see at the front of the eye. A circle of donated cornea can replace a person’s cloudy, damaged, malformed cornea to restore their sight.

Q: Who can donate their eyes?

A: Most people aged 3-85 (85-95 with no ocular issues) can donate, however these are some of the main contraindications:

• Neurological diseases such as dementia, MND, Parkinson’s, MS, long-term confusion/memory issues
• Haematological malignancy or disorder
• Malignant ocular melanoma
• Previous transplant
• High risk patients such as those with HIV, hepatitis, recent drug user
• Viral such as flu and Covid.

Q: What should I do if a patient or their family wishes to consider eye donation?

A: If you think a patient you are caring for may be a potential donor, contact an Eye Bank Co-ordinator or the NRC. An Eye Bank Co-ordinator will be available during working hours to speak to you, the patient or the family to answer questions. Out of hours, please leave a message and one of the co-ordinators will get back to you.

Q: What information will the Eye Bank Coordinator or NRC need?

A: You will need to give them the following details from the patient medical records:

• Name, address, date of birth and hospital number of the potential donor
• Brief medical history
• The patient’s NOK name and telephone number.

Q: What if I need to know something else about eye donation?

A: If you have other questions or problems, please call an Eye Bank Co-ordinator or the NRC. If you or your department would like an education session, please let one of the Co-ordinators know so they can arrange one.