Eye Banking and Corneal Preservation

Global demand for high-quality corneal tissue has intensified efforts to improve systems of eye banking and corneal preservation. Eye banks today play a critical role in acquiring, preparing, and distributing donor corneas with optimal viability. Improvements in storage media, endothelial cell preservation, and transportation logistics have made procedures like DMEK and DSAEK more efficient and reliable. Many eye banks now offer pre-stripped, preloaded grafts, reducing intraoperative time and enhancing surgical outcomes. Rigorous screening, adherence to international safety protocols, and accreditation standards ensure donor tissue integrity and traceability. In parallel, community outreach and donor awareness initiatives have helped address the shortfall in tissue availability in many regions. Looking forward, regenerative strategies such as decellularized scaffolds, synthetic corneal substitutes, and cell-based reconstruction are being investigated to complement traditional transplantation. As a result, eye banks are transitioning into innovation hubs supporting both surgical advancement and equitable vision care access worldwide.