Cincinnati Eye Bank

The Cincinnati Eye Bank is a not-for-profit recovery organization which was established in 1956 to provide donor eyes for corneal transplantation, ophthalmic research, and for the teaching of ocular surgery to resident eye physicians at the University of Cincinnati. The Eye Bank also established programs for public and professional education about the need for eye donation. The Eye Bank’s service area includes over 30 hospitals in 10 counties in southwestern Ohio, northern Kentucky, and eastern Indiana. Since its foundation, the Cincinnati Eye Bank has grown to keep pace with the ever increasing demand for quality corneal tissue for transplantation. In its first year of operation, the Eye Bank provided approximately 30 corneas for transplantation. In 2012, the Cincinnati Eye Bank provided almost 1000 corneas for transplantation, and many more eyes found to be unsuitable for transplantation were placed for research and teaching. The Eye Bank maintains the stringent medical standards as outlined by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), and works with leading sight restoration surgeons throughout the area. The Eye Bank is also regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and is inspected to assure compliance with all current regulatory requirements.