History of corneal transplantation in Australia.

Corneal transplantation is a triumph of modern ophthalmology. The possibility of corneal transplantation was first raised in 1797 but a century passed before Zirm achieved the first successful penetrating graft in 1905. Gibson reported the first corneal graft in Australia from Brisbane in 1940 and English established the first eye bank there a few years later. Corneal transplantation evolved steadily over the twentieth century. In the second half of the century, developments in microsurgery, including surgical materials such as monofilament nylon and strong topical steroid drops, accounted for improvements in outcomes. In 2013, approximately 1500 corneal transplants were done in Australia. Eye banking has evolved to cope with the rising demands for donor corneas. Australian corneal surgeons collaborated to establish and support the Australian Corneal Graft Registry in 1985. It follows the outcomes of their surgery and has become an important international resource for surgeons seeking further improvement with the procedure.

Evolution of keratoplasty: from darkness to light.

The story of the evolution of corneal grafting reads like a modem day epic: Complete with a cast of larger than life heroes, brilliant and heroic feats, inspired by the mundane. The history is also peppered with dismal, heart rending failures, foolhardy ventures, and the ultimate triumph of the indomitable human spirit over all odds. This review aims to highlight the significant milestones in the rich history of corneal transplantation, and to pay tribute to the many inspired and dedicated pioneers in this field for their perseverance and superior wisdom. It is also a salute and memorial to the patients who reposed their trust in the corneal surgeons, subjecting themselves to the trauma of surgery, often with less than optimal results. It was their collective, relentless toil and dynamic vision which has resulted in the state of the art surgical techniques which are the basis of modern day keratoplasty.

[View of the canadian history of corneal transplantation]. / Regard sur l'histoire canadienne de la greffe de la cornée

The author presents a brief chronological summary of early attempted corneal grafts over the last century culminating in the first successful Canadian keratoplasty by Dr. Jean Audet-Lapointe in Montreal on April 20, 1945. Medical journals of the day retrace the early experiences at various Canadian medical centres with this new innovative surgical procedure. Testimonials from newspaper clippings highlight the professional career of Dr. Jean Audet-Lapointe. The role and support of the CNIB in Montreal and Toronto in establishing the Canadian Eye Bank Service are also presented.

Corneal transplantation in Alaska Natives (excerpts). 1975.

Since the time of the first corneal transplant in Alaska by Dr. Milo Fritz in 1958, great strides have been made in the field of corneal transplantation surgery. The introduction of fine 10-0 nylon sutures, the operating microscope, microsurgical instrumentation, and recently developed corneal preservation techniques has improved the prognosis in transplantation for all types of corneal disease, including PKC scarring. Our own experience at ANMC suggests that we should expect 80-90% of transplants performed for PKC to remain clear.

Centennial review of corneal transplantation.

Abstract One hundred years ago, on 7 December 1905, Dr Eduard Zirm performed the world's first successful human corneal transplant. This significant milestone was achieved only after many decades of unsuccessful trial and error; however, it did not lead to relatively 'routine' keratoplasty success for several more decades. The idea of replacing an opaque cornea had been suggested for centuries, and had stimulated theoretical approaches to the problem by many esteemed physicians throughout history. However, little practical progress was made in the ultimate realization of the dream until the 19th century when pioneering surgeons pursued extensive studies in relation to both animal and human 'keratoplasty'. Clinical progress and scientific insight developed slowly, and it was ultimately due to parallel advances in medicine such as anaesthesia and antisepsis that Zirm's success was finally achieved. Key concepts were enshrined such as the use of fresh tissue from the same species, careful placement and handling of tissue, and the development of specialized instrumentation such as the circular trephine. In the latter half of the 20th century, many 'masters' of corneal surgery evolved significant refinements in technique and instrumentation with the development of corticosteroids, antibiotics, surgical microscopes, improved trephines, viscoelastics and suture materials, that enable this delicate procedure to be routinely performed with the prospect of success. There are still limitations to corneal transplantation, and corneal allograft rejection still poses the greatest challenge to the modern corneal surgeon. In the foreseeable future it may be in the laboratory, rather than the theatre, that further milestones will be achieved. This review aims to highlight the significant milestones in the rich history of corneal transplantation, and to pay tribute to the many inspired and dedicated individuals involved in the development of keratoplasty to a point where the procedure is now a standard tool in the repertoire of ophthalmic surgery and more than a million people have enjoyed restoration of useful sight.

The past twenty-five years in eye banking.

PURPOSE: This review of milestones and challenges in eye banking describes efforts made by dedicated eye bankers to ensure the quality and quantity of corneal tissue for corneal blind patients over the last 25 years. METHODS: This account is the result of the recollection of the author, discussions with eye bankers, and a review of the literature, public documents, and Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) records. RESULTS: A measure of the success of eye banking is the fact that corneal transplant surgery is now scheduled as an elective procedure. Corneal tissue has also enjoyed a stellar safety record. This is due in part to the establishment of comprehensive medical standards by the EBAA, the accreditation of eye banks, and the training and certification of eye bank technicians. CONCLUSION: Advancements in eye banking over the last 25 years have improved the quality of life of several hundred thousand corneal blind persons in this country. More efforts must be made in the future to eliminate corneal blindness internationally.

Eye bank's success due to vision of its founders.

In 1955, the Eye Bank of Canada introduced Canadians to the idea of postmortem tissue donation. The long-time administrator of the bank's Ontario Division, Anne Wolf, recalls the organization's early days and how the management of donated corneas became a family affair.

Professional standards in cell and tissue processing.

In the United States, standards for cell and tissue processing have been developed by a variety of professional tissue banking organizations. Several organizations, including the American Association of Tissue Banks and the Eye Bank Association of America, have accreditation programs for member institutions. Some governmental agencies, such as the New York State Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration, have adopted strict regulations, which may subject noncompliant tissue banks to certain enforcement actions. Professional tissue banking organizations have also issued guidelines that provide recommendations for implementing efficacious policies and procedures for the acquisition, processing, storage, and distribution of tissues.

Eye banking in America.

In 1961, the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) was developed to promote universal standards for the procurement of eye tissue. Over the last 30 years, the EBAA has had to change its original guidelines to include medical standards, technical personnel, updates in serology testing, and public relations. Certified technicians are required to perform procurement after careful donor chart review, where they must also review the lab results and check the postmortem blood sample to see if it tested positive for the human immunodeficiency virus.

Eye banking: 1944 to the present.

Through the efforts of Dr. Townley Paton, eye banks were founded in New York in the early 1940s. Since that time there has been steady growth in both the supply of and demand for donor material. A number of factors have contributed to the success of eye banks in the U.S.A., including improvements in eye banking techniques and administration, increase in corneal surgery, legislation facilitating corneal donations, and growing confidence of patients and ophthalmologists in the success of corneal tissue transplantation.