Signing up to be a donor.
Becoming an eye tissue donor is an important decision — one that could make a life-changing difference for those struggling with blindness. Explore how to register and find answers to your questions here.
An informed, thoughtful choice.
Join the registry.
The transplantation process depends on individuals like you who choose to register as eye donors and make their wishes clear to their families. Your decision to become a donor can also help advance research and education on sight disorders, such as glaucoma and eye complications from diabetes, to advance the discovery of the cause and effects of these conditions, leading to new treatments and cures.
Join The National Donate Life RegistryFrequently Asked Questions
The cornea is the clear outer portion of the eye which can be surgically transplanted to restore a recipient’s sight.
Once you have registered to become a donor, the most important action you can take is to inform your family and / or your health care power of attorney of your decision.
Anyone. Cataracts, cancer, poor eyesight or age may not prevent you from becoming a donor.
There is never any cost to the family for donation.
No. Corneal recovery is performed within hours after death. Great care is taken to preserve the appearance of our donors so families may proceed normally with funeral arrangements.
Most major religions support donation as a compassionate act.
Research helps with the prevention and treatment of various eye diseases such as glaucoma, retinal diseases, eye complications from diabetes and other sight disorders.
All donors are carefully evaluated. Should the corneas be determined unsuitable for transplant, they can be used for research and education.
There are three simple ways to become a donor:
- Sign up at the Department of Motor Vehicles and put the heart on your license.
- Go to donatelifenc.org (in North Carolina), donatelifesc.org (in South Carolina), or donatelifetexas.org (in Texas), and sign up to be a donor.
- Indicate your wishes in advance directives.
It is also important that you share your wishes with your family, so they are aware of your desire to help others through eye, organ and tissue donation.
Generally, no. The gift of sight is made anonymously. Information about the donor or donor family is not made available to the recipient. Likewise, recipient information is not made available to the donor family. However, donor families have opportunities to share stories about their loved ones through Miracles In Sight. And with permission, recipients often write notes of gratitude to share with the donor families.