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PurposeTo determine the linkage between Quality Assurance Program (QAP) and increase in utilization of donor corneas at a community Eye Bank.MethodsA donor cornea is defined as utilized when it is used for cornea transplant. Two metrics, utilization rate (UR) and non-utilization rate (NUR), were defined. The Eye Bank implemented QAP from 2011. As a part of QAP, detailed gap analysis of tissue utilization was performed. Four major categories causing non-utilization of recovered corneas were identified. These categories were poor “Tissue Quality”, “Seropositive” donor blood sample, “Medical History” of donor, and donor “Blood Sample Issues.” The years 2008–2011 were labelled the pre-intervention period, and the years 2012–2017 were labelled the post-intervention period. Annual UR and annual NUR for the four categories of non-utilization from the pre and the post-intervention periods were statistically compared.ResultsIn the pre-intervention period, the Eye Bank recovered 1425 donor corneas in total and transplanted 762. In the post-intervention period, the Eye Bank recovered 6661 corneas in total and transplanted 4393. The UR improved from 53.47% (762/1425) in the pre-intervention period to 65.95% (4393/6661) in the post-intervention period (P < 0.001). NUR in “Tissue Quality” category decreased from 34.32% to 29.7% from the pre to the post-intervention period (P < 0.001). NUR in “Blood Sample Issues” category reduced from 3.23% to 0.32% from the pre to the post-intervention period (P < 0.001). NUR in “Medical History” category decreased from 5.68% to 0.33% from the pre to the post-intervention period (P < 0.001).ConclusionsThe study indicates that QAP improves UR of recovered corneas. In countries with a shortage of donor corneas, increasing utilization of recovered corneas can lead to an increase in corneal transplants. Implementation of QAP at the Eye Bank can be a means of achieving this outcome.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to formulate a methodological approach for resuming eye bank services during COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Eye bank operations were temporarily halted in March after the government-mandated “Lockdown” in response to COVID-19 pandemic. Before restarting eye bank operations in May, we studied sources of exposure, performed risk assessment, instituted additional process validations and redefined the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) in consultation with the guidelines published by the Eye bank Association of India and All India Ophthalmological Society. The eye bank staff were rigorously trained before and after operations were restarted. We conducted a survey at the end of July to gauge staff attitude and reaction. Results: Eye banks services resumed on 20 th May 2020. Since reopening till the end of July total 41 keratoplasties have been done. 91.75% of all keratoplasties done were therapeutic surgeries and 17% of the surgeries were done using glycerine preserved tissues. No staff had COVID-19 symptoms when the operations restarted and none developed symptoms up to the end of July. All eye bank staff were aware of COVID-19 pandemic and 86% said they felt safe working at the eye bank. 86% of the staff said that they received adequate training and 66% of the staff expressed that they always received proper PPE and kits. Overall, 93% of the staff expressed that the measures taken by the eye bank ensured their safety. Conclusion: Based on our experience we suggest the following activities for planned resumption of eye bank services during the pandemic: Exposure Risk Analysis, Personal Protective Equipment usage training, SOP Revision and staff training on modified SOPs. Criteria based selection of donor sources, participatory planning involving the staff and double-checking at critical process junctions helped us in managing a smooth transition.