Corneas are a tissue that can also be donated by a brain death patient, but it is less common, due to the perception of family members when making the decision to make the donation.
Dr. Ihamir Duarte, national coordinator of the CSS Transplant Program, indicated that when doing the interview for total organ donation, it is explained to the patient that they are going to donate heart, kidneys, liver, and that they can also do so. with tissues, such as the corneas.
He highlighted that relatives often tell him that all the organs can be removed, “except the corneas because they prefer not to touch their eyes.”
It is important that the family knows the procedure for this donation, explained the program coordinator, because this reduces anxiety in the face of a perception in which there may be deformity or mutilation of the family member.
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Duarte explained that when the patient is taken to the operating room for the removal of the organs, the last step that is carried out is the removal of the corneal tissue.
“This is done in a very careful way, the corneas are removed, but an ocular extraction is not performed, but only the fabric that is above the iris, which is shaped like a contact lens,” he said.
Related Notes:
Subsequently, he explained, the deceased donor is covered with a special material so that there is no alteration of the anatomy and it is not evident to the eye. Then, the corneas are evaluated by specialist ophthalmologists and if they are suitable, they are transplanted.
“In the interview with the family member, we clarified what the procedure is like to try to reduce the anxiety they may have and in the end some agree to donate the corneas,” he stressed.
Note: Tharyn Jiménez V.
Photos: Archivo CSS
Video: Melvin Zeballos
