Eye bank
The Moorfields Lions Eye Bank (MLEB) no longer consents and retrieves tissues. Tissues are acquired from a range of regulatory approved suppliers, NHSBT here in the UK and other Third Country suppliers (3CS). There are upwards of 1000 individual tissue requiring procedures undertaken at Moorfields (including satellite sites) each year.
The Moorfields Lions Eye Bank (MLEB) no longer consents and retrieves tissues. Tissues are acquired from a range of regulatory approved suppliers, NHSBT here in the UK and other Third Country suppliers (3CS). There are upwards of 1000 individual tissue requiring procedures undertaken at Moorfields (including satellite sites) each year.
Contact the eye bank team020 7253 1199
What this service does
The Moorfields Lions Eye Bank (MLEB) is situated on the Lower Ground Floor of City Road. The department provides material (tissue) required for scheduled surgery; sclera, corneas, amniotic membrane and fascia/pericardium.
As these are human tissues they fall under the Human Tissue Act and thus the Human Tissue Authority (HTA), whom regularly inspect the work of the MLEB for compliance with their standards, guidance and associated directives. The Trust has a Designated Individual (DI) who is responsible for implementing the standards and ultimately ensuring that all human tissue is received, handled, stored, tracked and disposed of appropriately.
At present, the Eye bank orders human eye tissue from accredited external suppliers whom consent, retrieve, process and transport material to the Moorfields Lions Eye Bank in accordance to national and international standards.
The Eye Bank assures all eye tissue products are procured to satisfy the expectations of both our service users and patients whilst in full compliance to applicable regulations and standards as prescribed by the Human Tissue Authority.
Register as an organ donor
One pair of donated eyes can provide treatment for up to 10 different people; each cornea can be transplanted, while each sclera (the white tissue around the eye) can be divided in four and used as a patch graft for some glaucoma surgery patients. With the right consent, we can also use other non-transplantable parts of donated eye tissues for research to develop new treatments for the future.
In the UK, organ donation falls under the auspices of NHS Blood and Transplant services. You can register to become a donor on the NHS organ donor register. Forms are also available from GP surgeries, chemists and hospitals. The Human Tissue Act 2004 clarified the consent status of someone who has died, and your wishes - and those of your family - are paramount. So, please speak to your close family and loved ones to ensure they are aware of your wishes to donate.
Patient information leaflets
