Oct 18, 2026
Every November, Eversight joins the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) and the eye banking community to celebrate Eye Donation Month, raising awareness about the life-changing impact of eye donation. This month-long observance honors the generous individuals who have given the gift of sight and emphasizes the importance of eye, organ and tissue donation.
What is eye donation?
Eye donation is the generous act of donating eye tissue after death to help restore sight through corneal transplantation or advance research and education.
People of all ages should consider themselves potential eye, organ and tissue donors. Your medical condition at the time of death will determine what can be donated.
If corneal tissue is not transplantable due to age or medical condition, the donation can, with authorization, be considered a gift for education and research involving glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and other sight disorders. These studies advance the knowledge of causes and effects of blinding eye conditions and lead to new treatments and cures.
At Eversight, we’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact this gift can have on individuals, families and communities.
What is the gift of sight?
The miraculous gift of sight begins when someone makes the selfless decision to register as an eye, organ and tissue donor. That gift leaves a lasting impact on cornea recipients and the field of vision research worldwide.
In 2025, Eversight provided 14,623 tissues for transplantation, research and education around the world. Watch this video about the lasting impact the gift of donation has on patients and donor families.
One donor can save and heal more than 75 lives. By registering your decision to be an eye, organ and tissue donor, you are helping to save lives and give hope to the more than 100,000 people in the U.S. currently waiting for lifesaving organ transplants. Thousands more are in need of life-changing tissue or cornea transplants to restore health.
FAQs about eye donation and transplantation
What is a cornea?
A cornea is the clear, dime-sized tissue found at the front of the eye. It functions like a window, allowing light to pass through the eye. The cornea does not affect eye color, so transplant patients will retain their original eye color after surgery.
What is a cornea transplant?
A cornea transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces a diseased, damaged or infected cornea with a healthy, donated cornea. Corneal transplantation is the most frequently performed transplant procedure.
My vision is bad. Can I still be an eye donor?
Your corneal tissue may be completely healthy even if your eyesight is poor. Many causes of vision loss do not affect the cornea. Donated corneas that are not suitable for transplantation can, with authorization, provide much-needed information for researchers or for those being trained in corneal tissue recovery, preservation and evaluation.
How do I consent to donate my eye tissue?
Become a registered eye, organ and tissue donor by joining your state's Donor Registry. By joining the registry, you give first-person authorization to donate your eye, organ and tissue instead of leaving the decision to relatives.
Be sure to discuss your donation decision with loved ones so they understand your wishes.
Is the whole eye recovered?
The entire eye may be recovered for use in research and education, however, only the corneas can be transplanted to provide sight restoration.
How successful is corneal transplantation?
Corneal transplantation is a well-established procedure that can successfully restore or improve vision for many patients. Outcomes vary depending on the patient's condition and the type of transplant.
How can I get involved?
We invite everyone to join us in spreading the word about Eye Donation Month. Here's how you can get involved:
- Register to become an eye, organ and tissue donor. Your decision could change lives.
- Share stories of donation and transplantation on social media using the hashtag #EyeDonationMonth.
- Support Eversight and other organizations working to eliminate blindness through eye donation and transplantation.
- Help educate others about eye donation. Share what you've learned about the gift of sight with friends, family and your community.
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