500 Eye Donation Pledges On File At 'U' Medical Center

500 Eye Donation Pledges On File At 'U' Medical Center

Eye donation pledges of more than 500 persons are now on file at the Michigan Eye Collection Center in the University Medical Center, Dr. John W. Henderson, director of the Center, told Ann Arbor Lions yesterday.

The Lions Club co-operated with the Medical Center in setting up the eye-bank for corneal transplants and research, and several other Michigan Lions clubs have assisted with the financing.

The Collection Center makes it possible for individuals to sign eye-donor pledges during their lifetime so that their eyes can be donated to the eye-bank at the time of death. In this way healthy corneas are provided to replace diseased corneas of persons who might otherwise lose their sight.

Dr. Henderson, associate professor of ophthalmology at the University, said 22 pairs of eyes had been donated since the eye-bank was established, and that eight patients have had corneal transplants since November. Often there is a long waiting list for the operation because of lack of corneas for transplantation.

The Ann Arbor eye-bank is one of only 14 in the country affiliated with the Eye-Bank for Sight Restoration, Inc., in New York City. Feb. 15 through 21 is National Eye-Bank Week.

Dr. Henderson described cataract surgery and illustrated his talk with slides. He will appear in March on a panel in Detroit during a color telecast of cataract surgery. Sponsored by the Michigan State Medical Society, the telecast will be at 10 p.m. over WWJ, Channel 4, and affiliated stations.