Future of Corneal Donation and Transplantation: Insights From the COVID-19 Pandemic

AlMutlak, Mohammed; Li, Jennifer Y.; Helayel, Halah Bin; Fairaq, Rafah

doi:10.1097/ico.0000000000002538

Cited by 18 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…The data from the eye bank are comparable with the results of EBAA survey conducted on US eye banks, which found that corneal transplantation procedures decreased to 7% in April and increased back to 71% by June. 18 Corneal grafts supplied by the eye bank decreased to 15% in April but had increased to 87% by June. Most of this decrease in eye bank volume, a 31% decrease in referrals despite no difference in the overall donor pool, is representative of the lack of demand for corneal tissue, which caused a decrease in OPO referrals to the eye bank but returned to near-normal levels by June.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…With the implementation of new donor restrictions during COVID-19, eye bank operations were significantly affected according to a recent EBAA survey. 18 The aim of this study was to identify the extent to which corneal demand, EBAA guidelines, and eye bank restrictions limited the corneal supply at a single eye bank. We also explore the impact of routine postmortem COVID-19 testing by the eye bank of all potential donors intended for surgical use.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Keratoplasty and Corneal Eye Banking

Ballouz

Sawant²,

Hurlbert³

et al. 2021

Cornea

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Keratoplasty and Corneal Eye Banking

Ballouz

Sawant²,

Hurlbert³

et al. 2021

Cornea

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“…Due to screening conditions and regulations within eye banks such as the EBAA, the donor eligibility review process is often delayed, leading to longer preservation times. 65 …”

Section: Sars-cov-2 and Emerging Eye Bank Guidelinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Corneal Donation: Current Guidelines and Future Direction

Moshirfar¹,

Odayar²,

McCabe³

et al. 2021

OPTH

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This review aims to outline current practices and guidelines of corneal donation and eye banking, describes the implications of COVID-19 and emerging diseases on the corneal donor pool, and discusses future trends to improve and increase the efficiency of the processes involved in corneal donation and eye banking. Summary: Corneal screening, preservation, corneal storage, and prevention of systemic disease transmission from donor to recipient have been crucial in shaping the policies of the FDA and eye banks across the world. Eye banks globally have developed varying guidelines and criteria for evaluating the viability of donor corneas. Variables such as the age of the donor, medical history, and potential disease transmission are important screening parameters. While known infectious diseases may be transmissible through the cornea, emerging infectious diseases that are not well studied may be more transmissible than other infections. In particular, coronavirus has impacted corneal transplantation as SARS-CoV-2 expression has been detected in corneal tissue and conjunctiva. In recent years, partial-thickness corneal transplantations have been introduced. Lamellar grafts and other corneal layers are now utilized for transplantation of the specific areas that are damaged.

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“…The United States Food and Drug Administration guidance on tissue-based products continues to indicate that there is insufficient evidence supporting transmission through tissue transplantation [25]. Still, major eye banks such as the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and the Global Alliance of Eye Bank Associations (GAEBA) have recommended excluding donors recently infected with SARS-CoV-2 [25][26][27][28].…”

Section: Impact On Ocular Surface Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[28]. During the early pandemic, there was a 30% reduction in corneal donations in the USA [25]. This gap was even greater in lower-middle income countries (LMIC) as travel restrictions, an international shortage in donor supply, and limited accessibility between countries resulted in a severe decline in global corneal donor availability [25].…”

Section: Impact On Ocular Surface Treatmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Ocular Surface Pathology and Treatment Practices: a Review

Bal

Chodosh

Venkateswaran

2021

Curr Ophthalmol Rep

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Purpose of ReviewThe ocular surface is a potential site of ocular involvement by SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed a review of the literature to understand the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 disease manifestations on the ocular surface as well as to elucidate emerging treatment patterns and practice changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent Findings The ocular manifestations of SARS-CoV-2 are likely limited to a mild and transient conjunctivitis. Other manifestations have not been validated in larger cohorts. Ocular surface tissue should be considered potentially infectious due to the presence of host receptors on surface tissues. The availability of donor tissue in lower-middle income countries has been greatly impacted by the pandemic and would benefit from further investigation into transmissibility through donor tissue. Summary Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through the ocular surface has yet to be confirmed. The most common ocular manifestation is a mild conjunctivitis. Ocular surface surgeons face specific challenges in the use of donor tissues and aerosolizing procedures and have adapted practice patterns accordingly.

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Future of Corneal Donation and Transplantation: Insights From the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 18 publications

References 5 publications

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Keratoplasty and Corneal Eye Banking

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Keratoplasty and Corneal Eye Banking

Corneal Donation: Current Guidelines and Future Direction

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Ocular Surface Pathology and Treatment Practices: a Review

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