Background 12.7 million people await a corneal transplant, but 53% are without access to corneal tissue. Sharing corneal tissue across nations can provide some access, however the willingness of export populations, like Australians, to export their donation on death, has never been evaluated. Our research samples the Australian population, determining their willingness to export. Materials and method We conducted e-surveys. N = 1044 Australians participated. The sample represented the Australian population, based on population demographics. Chi-Square and bivariate correlation coefficients examined associations between categorical variables, with a sample size of N = 1044, power of 0.80, and alpha of p = 0.05. Outcome measures were based on population sampling, by exploring willingness export, through the e-survey method. Results 38% (n = 397) of respondents said yes to exportation, 23.8% (n = 248) said no, and 38.2% (n = 399) were undecided. We found no relationship between willingness to export and general demographics, though those registered on the Donatelife Register (p = < .001), and those already willing to donate their eyes (p = < .001) were significantly more willing to export. Discussion More Australians are willing to export their corneas than not, though a significant portion remain undecided. The Donatelife Register, and donation awareness, are key components of respondent decision making. Therefore, the provision of information about exportation prior to, and at the point-of-donation, is essential for assisting Australian’s to decide to export or not. Further examination and development of consent-for-export systems are necessary before routine exportation is undertaken.

The response to constrictive (endothelin-I) and vasodilatory agents (nimodipine and betaxolol) was comparable with that in fresh pig vessels. It is now possible to obtain multiple segments of retinal artery from a single donor eye and to preserve them for detailed pharmacological assessment.

Purpose: Corneal tissue importation is only possible if another country is able to export corneas without impacting its own domestic demand. Currently, there is little evidence to indicate whether export nations have such surplus capacity and in a position to export. To explore this concept, we examined our nation, Australia, which is reported to routinely decline donations because of its ability to meet domestic corneal transplant demand. Our research offers insights and opportunities for Australia and other nations to evaluate their domestic and international supply and allocation of corneal tissue in this space. Method:We collated 12 months of data on collected and noncollected donations, through participating Australian Eye Banks. The explanation of why some known donors were declined or not pursued indicated if demand was met and potential surplus-forexport levels.Results: There were 7.5% (n = 11,889) of deaths in Australia that were notified to Australian Eye Banks during our reporting period. Of those, 9.3% (n = 1106/11,889) were recovered and allocated, 15.7% (n = 1863/11,889) were known but declined, and 75% (n = 8920/11,889) were not pursued. Of those that were declined, 64.3% (n = 1197/1863) were declined because of limitations with service/manpower at the eye bank, whereas 35.7% (n = 666/1863) were declined because demand was met.Conclusions: Australia did not meet demand all the time, during our data period. There were adequate quantities of potential donors to support increasing recovery for domestic allocation and provide for exportation without hindrance to Australian demand. Further examination of domestic supply and demand cycles and the export process is required before routine exportation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the trends in preparation, storage, and usage of donor corneal tissue from 35 years of eye banking at the Lions Eye Bank of Western Australia (LEBWA). Methods: Donor and recipient records for the period July 1986 to July 2021 were evaluated with relation to donor demographics, cause of death, storage medium, corneal utilization, type of corneal graft, and indication for graft. Results: Six thousand two hundred nine eyes from 3328 donors were retrieved in the 35-year period reviewed. Sixty-six percent of eye donors were male, and 33% were female. The median age of donor was 61 years (2–98 years). The most frequent cause of donor death was a cardiac event, followed by intracerebral hemorrhage and malignancy. A total of 5219 corneal transplants were performed, with a corneal utilization rate of 84%. Storage of corneal tissue was primarily in Optisol-GS until 2010, when organ culture medium was introduced. Of 5219 recipients, 52% were male and 47% were female. The median recipient age was 63 years (1–98 years). Penetrating keratoplasty was the most common surgery performed over the 35-year period, followed by endothelial keratoplasty. The most common indications for grafts were ectasia/thinning, repeat corneal transplants, endothelial dystrophies, and postcataract surgery edema. Conclusions: We present trends in the acquisition and utilization of corneal tissue across 35 years at LEBWA. The most significant changes over this period include methods of corneal storage and advances in surgical techniques that has led to a greater usage of endothelial grafts.