Cornea
The cornea is the transparent tissue covering the front of the eye. Due to injury, disease, infection or hereditary corneal failure, the cornea can become cloudy, swollen or scarred to such an extent that rays of light can no longer pass through it, resulting in loss of vision.
In such cases it may be necessary to replace the part of the cornea that is actually damaged with a donor cornea.
Most patients receive so-called untyped or at random tissue grafts. With untyped allocation, no match is needed between the tissue type of the donor and the recipient.
Some patients, however, require compatible HLA or typed tissue. The HLA system (Human Leukocyte Antigen) indicates someone’s tissue type. If the differences in HLA characteristics between donor and patient are too large, there is a considerable risk of rejection. With HLA-typed allocation, the match between the tissue type of the donor and the recipient is taken into account.
Based on BIS’s allocation criteria, suitable corneas are selected for patients on the waiting list.
Currently the average waiting time for an ‘untyped’ or ‘at random cornea is five months and for a ‘typed’ or ‘HLA-matched’ cornea six months. BIS’s ambition is to arrange transportation from the tissue bank to the transplantation center one working day before the scheduled operation date.
Three working days are needed between acceptance of the cornea and it's transport because of the transfer of the cornea from conservation medium into transport medium.
In case of clinical urgency, BIS allocates corneas as quickly as possible. Usually this will take no longer than 48 hours.
Patient registration
Physicians who require corneal tissue for transplantation purposes can register their patient online in the member section of this website.
They can also register their patient by filling out a "Cornea Recipient Information Form".
Only patients who have been placed on the BIS waiting list can receive donor tissue.
Standard range
- Untyped or at random corneas
- Typed or HLA-matched corneas
- Lamellar tissue
- Anterior lamellar transplantation (Amnitrans,Eyebank Rotterdam)
- Posterior lamellar transplantation (Amnitrans,Eyebank Rotterdam)
- Anterior lamellar transplantation (NIN,Eyebank Amsterdam)
- Posterior lamellar transplantation (NIN,Eyebank Amsterdam)
- 24h protocol / stem cell transplantation
An extensive description of the various tissue types, including tissue code and service fee is available from BIS cornea allocation.
You can call (+31) 71-5795730 or send an e-mail: cornea@bisfoundation.nl
