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The Jules Stein Eye Institute's Donor Eye Program actively engages in
informing the public about the need for eye tissue and for retrieving donated
eyes. Over the years, the program has been successful in increasing the
number of eyes available to the Institute for corneal transplantation and
scientific study. Due to the generosity of donors and the cooperation of
other eye banks, the waiting time for corneal transplantation has decreased
from several months to a week or two. Eye tissue for emergency cases is
available within 24 hours. Tissue unsuitable for transplantation into a
living eye may be used in scientific research and thus save sight in another
way.
In 1987, the UCLA Eye & Tissue Bank and Regional Organ Procurement
Agency joined forces to further improve the availability of organs and
eye tissue at UCLA. They created one 24-hour Organ and Tissue Referral
Number to simplify the donation and retrieval process, and are reinforcing
the need for donors through joint educational efforts. Any person wishing
to donate an organ or make the precious gift of sight to others is invited
to call.
Organ and Tissue Referral Information
800-528-9500
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