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KZN Cornea an Eye Association

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KZN Cornea an Eye Association

Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from KZN Cornea an Eye Association, Medical and health, 23 Elsie Road, Sherwood, Durban.

Our Primary function is to acquire and supply corneal / scleral tissue to Ophthalmologists for patients requiring a corneal transplant due to a corneal dystophy or injury

19/09/2020

This past week has been a very sad week for us. A family made us aware that their deceased loved one was an organ/tissue donor and it was their express wish to fulfil their loved one’s end of life wishes to donate corneal tissue. Sadly, this was not to be due to the national shutdown of all mortuaries and hospitals by the Unification Task Team (UTT) for three days. They threatened those compliant funeral homes that did attempt to open their premises or go out to remove a deceased that they will face the consequences so this had a negative impact on all concerned, funeral homes, hospitals and homes.
The funeral home concerned did take the risk and managed to remove the deceased from the hospital so we would have been required to go the funeral home to do the corneal recovery as the discussion with the family took place after the removal. This is normal practice in most cases. However, the funeral home could not guarantee our safety, the mortuary personnel safety and that of the premises upon us leaving. The militants would stop at nothing to make a point and they had spotters out watching so there was no way of knowing when and where they would be at any given time. We were forced to abandon our donor and give the terrible news to the family that we were forced to abandon. They were devastated to hear this.
To make matters worse, a doctor called me on Thursday pleading for an emergency cornea as his patient’s cornea had perforated and the situation was dire. This was devastating as Covid has already played a significant role in reducing our potential donor pool so this corneal donor would have been an absolute blessing. This youngster’s site would have been saved. We lost something very precious to this shutdown.

10/09/2020

Hello everyone
In the past week we have been asked numerous questions about organ and tissue donation so today we are going to answer some of the most frequently asked questions;

What is the difference between organ and tissue donation?
An organ donation (heart, lung, liver, pancreas and kidneys) takes place after an individual has been declared brain dead due to a head injury but is still being supported on a ventilator, whereas tissue retrieval (corneas, bone and skin) can take place several hours and even days after death.

Are tissue transplants common?
Yes, the demand for corneal tissue outweighs supply. There are hundreds of patients waiting for a corneal graft due to a corneal dystrophy and / or injury.
Bone tissue transplants are the second most common transplants performed on patients, second only to blood transfusions. Many thousands of patients receive allograft tissue every year, most of which comes from non-living donors whose loved ones consented to donation.

Skin donation involves strips of skin (first layer) from the upper arms, thigh and back, which is used mainly in paediatric
burns patients. Donor skin is the best dressing as it gives the patient/s own skin time to regenerate and the donor skin will slough off after 12 to 14 days. The demand for donor skin is high.

Is there a cost to my family if I donate my organs/tissue?
No, your family will not incur any costs. The relevant hospital, eye or tissue bank will cover all medical expenses from the moment your family has given consent for the donation of organs and/or tissue.

Is a viewing of my body possible after donation?
Yes, an open casket funeral is possible. The recovery of organs and tissue is carried out with great care by surgeons and trained personnel, there will be no visible changes to your body.

How do I become and organ/tissue donor?
Talk to your family about your wishes. It is very important that they are aware of your wishes as they will be required to sign consent. They will also need to know who to contact in the event of your demise. The Organ Donor Foundation (ODF) can be contacted on 0800226611 or call us directly on 0823071654 / 0827813828.

26/08/2020

Hi everyone
We are often asked how one can become an organ and/or tissue donor and too often people think one has to be registered to be a donor. It is not necessary to register to be a donor as it is purely an intent to donate although it’s always good to carry an organ donor card on your person. These card can be obtained from the Organ Donor Foundation (ODF). Many families have made end of life decisions for their loved one’s based on their own feelings or knowing how their loved one would have felt about it.
Family awareness is key, talk to your family about your end of life wishes as it makes the decision process easier for them. Organ/tissue donation is a personal choice and one that is respected by all.
Should you wish to obtain further information about organ/tissue donation you can call us on 0823071654 / 0827813828 and speak to Carol Tonnesen or Tracey Gibbs or you can contact the Organ Donor Foundation (ODF) on 0800 22 66 11.

19/08/2020

Did you know that corneas can be donated up to 12 hours after death. Your corneas will enable the “Gift of Sight” to become a reality for those who suffer from a corneal dystrophy and / or injury.
To name one common debilitating dystrophy:
Keratoconus (KC) - is a disorder of the eye which results in progressive thinning of the cornea. This may result in blurry vision, double vision, nearsightedness, irregular astigmatism, and light sensitivity leading to poor quality-of-life. Keratoconus is hereditary and will usually present from the age of 10. An Ophthalmologist will manage the disorder, however, in many instances a corneal graft is necessary

Discuss your end of life wishes with you family as they will be the one/s who will be required to give consent.

12/08/2020

Firstly, thank you everyone for liking and sharing our page. Today we would like to tell you a little more about us. The KZN Eyebank is a Non-Profit Organisation, established in May 2003 in order to alleviate the demand for corneal tissue in KZN. Prior to that our doctors were relying on the other two Provinces, Gauteng and Cape Town, to assist and they were also struggling as demand exceeded supply in their own provinces so it became essential for KZN to have their own Eyebank.

The Eyebank supplies corneal tissue to both the Provincial and Private sector. We have a board of Directors and we are governed by the Department of Health.

There are just two of us, Carol Tonnesen (Eyebank Manager/Procurer) and Tracey Gibbs (Eyebank Co-Ordinator/Procurer).

We have lots to share so we will be doing updates on a regular basis to keep you informed.

Please like and share our page.

Address

23 Elsie Road, Sherwood
Durban
4001

Telephone

+27823071654

Website

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