Celebrating Eye Donation Month

New Mexico Donor Services is proud to join the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank, and other member eye banks throughout the nation, honoring Eye Donation Month in November. During Eye Donation Month, we hope to help spread the word about cornea donation and transplantation, honor selfless donors who gave the gift of sight, celebrate recipients whose lives have been transformed, educate about donation, and encourage individuals to register as donors.

It is a time to celebrate those who have given others the gift of sight and to inspire more individuals to register as eye donors. Additionally, more than 80,000 people in the United States regain their sight each year thanks to the generosity and selflessness of eye donors and their families.

Despite the term, “eye donation” doesn’t mean the entire eye is transplanted; only the cornea (the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye) is replaced, restoring sight for those with cornea-related blindness.

Established in 1983 by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), this year’s Eye Donation Month theme is “Everyday Heroes”, celebrating the idea that anyone can register to become a cornea donor hero.

Meet Everyday Hero: Christine Lichti

“Thank you for your tremendous and selfless gift; you didn’t have to be a donor. Your cornea gets me to work and home safely. It helps me enjoy a sunny day in the snow or at the lake, at a concert or watching fireworks–things that I couldn’t do before.”

– Christine Lichti, bilateral cornea transplant recipient, and UC Davis Health nurse

Did you know?

• Nearly anyone can be a cornea donor. Unlike organ donation, blood types do not have to match.
• Corneal transplants have a success rate of over 95%.
• EBAA eye banks, like Sierra Donor Services Eye Bank, recover, evaluate, process, and distribute corneal tissue donated by generous donor heroes.
• Eye diseases rank as the fifth most costly health issue in the U.S., following heart disease, cancer, mental health disorders, and pulmonary conditions.

Watch Christine’s story

Become an everyday hero and give the gift of sight by registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor here.