MVHS Celebrates National Eye Donor Month

UTICA – For those who are visually impaired, sight is a precious gift. In 2014, 11 patients at Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) generously chose to donate life and were cornea donors upon their passing.

"The world is a beautiful place filled with wonderful colors, textures and images," said Vicki Adler, executive director of the Lions Eye Bank at Albany. "A corneal transplant provides a second chance for sight. Your generous donation can brighten someone else’s future."

Thanks to donors, corneal transplant surgery becomes a reality for one of the nearly 2,010 people who lose their sight each month. The Lions Eye Bank at Albany works to obtain corneal tissue and provides it for the visually impaired in Northeastern New York and Great Barrington, Massachusetts.

Since being founded in 1952, the Lions Eye Bank at Albany has been responsible for more than 10,000 corneal transplants. In 2010, its efforts resulted in 350 children and adults regaining their sight.

To bring awareness to the increasing number of individuals requiring corneal transplants, the Eye Bank Association of America has designated March as Eye Donor Month. Anyone, regardless of poor eye sight or age, can be an eye donor and is encouraged to join the fight for sight.

Donna A. Sickler, BSN, RN, quality professional at the Faxton St. Luke`s Campus of MVHS, said that having a conversation is key to fulfilling one’s wishes to become an organ/tissue donor. "It’s important to talk with your family and loved ones so they know your wishes," Sickler said. "Don’t wait to talk to them. Talk with them now so they know what to do when the time comes."

Individuals who are interested in becoming an organ, tissue or eye donor may enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry by signing the donor box on the back of their driver’s license or identification card, or by visiting www.nyhealth.gov.

For more information about the Lions Eye Bank at Albany, call (518) 489-7606 or visit www.lionseyebankalbany.org.

Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare and St. Elizabeth Medical Center are affiliates under the Mohawk Valley Health System.