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Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Editorial

Letter From the Editor

Global Perspectives

The Evolution of Eye Banking and Regulatory Standards in Canada

Original Research

Medical Examiner and Eye Banks as Partners for Transplantation in the United States

Donor Designation Impact on the Availability of Transplantable Allografts in the United States

Eye Donation Project: Differences Between Donors Versus Refusers

Descemet’s Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty Using Donor Tissue From Donors With a History of Laser In Situ Keratomileusis or Photorefractive Keratectomy

Cornea donation in Denmark

Cornea donation in Denmark

Authors

Vigdis Magnusdottir, MD
Jesper Hjortdal, MD, PhD
Kim Nielsen, MSc, PhD

Keywords

Corneal transplantation; Donor register; Eye bank; Keratoplasty; Tissue donation

Abstract

Purpose: Shortage of donor corneal tissue exists in Denmark. The Danish Donor Register founded in 1990, contains individuals’ consents to donation of a variety of tissues and organs including the cornea. This study describes the registered donors.

Methods: Data from the Donor Register was analyzed.

Results: Since the beginning of the register, the number of registered citizens has increased and now represents 18% of the total adult population. In addition, the diversity of consents has also evolved. Citizens in the larger cities consent more often than citizens living outside the cities. Females consent more often than men. Of those consenting to donation in the Donor Register, almost 85% of them have agreed to cornea donation. The Danish Cornea Bank however only record less than half of the expected donors among the deceased in hospitals due to the discrepancy in the age among the registered and the age at death.

Conclusion: The number of corneas donated and procured is increasing. Corneal transplantation is the most common tissue/organ transplant procedure in Denmark.

 

References

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State budget 2012. Paragraph 16.51.52.

Law for death certification, autopsy and transplantation (Lov om ligsyn, obduktion og transplantation m.v.). Law 402 of the 13th June 1990.

Guidelines for consent for transplantation from deceased persons (Vejledning om samtykke til transplantation fra afdøde personer). Guidance 101 of the 8th December 2006.

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The health law (Sundhedsloven). Paragraph 53 in law 913 of the 13th July 2010.

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