Welcome to the EBAA's Newsroom. Your one stop for all your information needs. Whether you are a member looking for the latest news or a reporter searching for statistics, you'll be able to find it here. On deadline? Contact Rusty Kelly, Vice President, at 202-775-4999 or by email at rusty@restoresight.org.

The Newsroom contains news releases and policy statements from the Association as well as helpful statistics about the eye banking community.

The Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) is a not-for-profit organization of eye banks dedicated to the restoration of sight through the promotion and advancement of eye banking.

The oldest transplant organization in the United States, the EBAA is a nationally recognized accrediting body for eye banks. Since 1961, EBAA member banks have restored sight to more than 700,000 individuals.

NEWS FROM THE EBAA: The Uniqueness of Eye Banking: Eye Banks Ensure the Safe Supply of Corneal Tissue for Transplantation, Research and Education

EYE BANKING COMMUNITY FACTS:

• The EBAA represents 85 U.S. eye bank organizations, 100 percent of the entire domestic eye banking community, and provides 100 percent of all corneal tissue for transplantation in the U.S. All eye banks are 501 (c)(3) organizations whose mission is to procure and provide donated human eye tissue for sight restoring transplantation procedures. Click here for a list of member eye banks. For a list of accredited banks click here.
• Eye banks have a long and proud history. The first corneal transplant was performed in 1905, and the first eye bank opened in New York in 1944. The opening of the New York bank marked the first organized attempt to facilitate the transfer of tissue from donor to patient. Other areas and tissue communities then successfully replicated this eye-banking model.
• Eye banks have over 50 years of experience in approaching families of deceased loved ones for donation.
• In 2007, 50,122 corneal grafts were supplied by US eye banks. The gift of sight was donated by over 41,000 donors; 39,391 corneal transplants were performed in the US.