More than 12 million people around the world are blind due to corneal disease. While many of these cases are treatable through corneal transplants, access to tissue remains scarce.
Globally, only one donor cornea is available for every 70 patients in need.
Despite this critical imbalance, Vision Share is actively working to bridge the gap. As a non-profit network of accredited U.S. eye banks, we work together to expand equitable access to corneal transplants worldwide by pooling resources, using advanced technology for tissue placement, and applying our regulatory expertise to connect donors gifts of corneal tissue with global surgical needs both domestically and internationally, transforming the gift of donation into life-changing sight restoration, regardless of geography.
28+ Years of Experience | 8 Eye Bank Members | 141,000+ Corneas Transplanted | Serving 30+ Countries | GAEBA Member
An Introduction to Eye Banking
What is An Eye Bank?
An eye bank is a specialized non-profit organization that handles the recovery, medical evaluation, preservation, and distribution of donated human eye tissue, primarily the cornea for use in sight-restoring transplants, as well as for research and education.
Most commonly, eye banks focus on cornea donation because the cornea (the clear front surface of the eye) can be transplanted to treat conditions like Keratoconus, Fuchs dystrophy, corneal scarring or an injury that can cause blindness or severe vision impairment. Eye banks operate under strict medical and ethical standards (often regulated by organizations like the Eye Bank Association of America in the US) to ensure safety and maximize the gift of donation.
Accreditation, Standards & Global Collaboration
All Vision Share Network eye banks are accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA), supporting high standards in tissue safety, quality, ethical oversight, and global distribution.
Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA) is an international non-profit organization that establishes medical standards, accreditation guidelines, and best practices for eye banking.
Founded in 1961, the EBAA works to ensure the safety, quality, and ethical distribution of ocular tissue used for transplantation, research, and education through member accreditation, professional training, and regulatory oversight.
The Global Alliance of Eye Bank Associations inc. (GAEBA) is a collective, global organization established by the: Eye Bank Association of America, European Eye Bank Association, Association of Eye Banks of Asia, Eye Bank Association of Australia and New Zealand, and Eye Bank Association of India. Vision Share is a GAEBA member and our Executive Director serves on several GAEBA committees.
Through GAEBA collaboration, Vision Share contributes to ongoing global efforts focused on ethical tissue distribution, professional education, and expanding access to sight-restoring care.
Advancing Equitable Global Access to Corneal Transplantation
Vision Share operates as a centralized network within the corneal transplant ecosystem. Through coordinated allocation, cross-border regulatory compliance, and technology-enabled tissue placement, we strengthen the systems that make equitable access possible. Rather than functioning as a single service provider, Vision Share enhances the capacity of eye banks and surgical partners globally.
141,000+ Corneas Transplanted
Vision Share facilitates ethical, regulatory-compliant international corneal tissue placement, expanding access beyond geographic limitations.
Hands-On Training
Vision Share helps facilitate hands-on training opportunities for surgeons and eye banks that strengthen surgical skills, support professional development, and expand access to advanced corneal care techniques.
28+ Years of Experience
The Vision Share Network of Member Eye Banks supports global tissue distribution through a collaborative network committed to ethical allocation, quality standards, and patient access worldwide.
Partner With Vision Share
In many parts of the world, equitable access to sight-restoring corneal tissue is a struggle. Eye banks and tissue providers face significant costs associated with recovery, processing, preservation, and international distribution, making financial sustainability essential to maintaining operations. As a result, access to donor tissue is often more readily available in healthcare systems with more financial resources, while surgeons and patients in underserved regions, including parts of Africa and other developing countries face limited access to the tissue needed to prevent or reverse blindness. Through your financial support, you can help provide more resources by expanding access to life-changing corneal tissue worldwide to ensure that geography or economic barriers do not determine who receives the gift of sight.
Together, We Can Build More Equitable Access to Corneal Transplantation
- Your donation supports an established cross-border transplant distribution infrastructure.
- Regulatory-compliant and ethically governed model.
- Scalable country expansion capacity.
- Trusted by surgeons, transplant centers, and eye banks across multiple continents.
Current Funding Opportunities
- Country-level expansion initiatives.
- Sterile graft access programs.
- Surgeon education & training.
- Targeted expansion of corneal tissue placement in priority partner countries.
Restoring Sight in Kenya
In this episode of the Global Sight Restoration Series, Dr. Jyotee Trivedy shares insights from her work restoring sight in Kenya, where many patients face preventable blindness and access to corneal tissue remains limited. Dr. Jyotee discusses the realities patients and families face, the impact of corneal blindness in underserved communities, and why access to donor tissue can transform lives. This short conversation highlights both the urgent need for corneal care in East Africa and the hope that sight-restoring surgery can bring through global collaboration.
Restoring Sight in Rwanda
Emmanuel’s story is a powerful example of how access to corneal tissue can change the course of a life. In many parts of the world, patients facing preventable blindness never receive treatment simply because donor tissue, surgical training, and resources are limited. Through global partnerships and the generosity of donors, Vision Share helps provide surgeons with the tissue and support needed to restore sight and create new opportunities for patients and their families. This video highlights the real-world impact of compassionate giving and the hope that becomes possible when access to care is expanded.
Vision Share Testimonials
“Vision Share extends placement opportunities far beyond our eye bank’s local service area, ensuring every donor gift reaches patients who need it most. Their infrastructure and personalized support create a seamless experience for both partners and clinicians.”
Chris Hanna
Executive Director
Utah Lions Eye Bank
In 2016 at the American Academy of Ophthalmology conference in Chicago, I visited the Vision Share stand. This was probably the moment that changed what I’m doing in terms of cornea transplants. This opened access to quality cornea tissue for more than 8 countries in Africa, starting with Rwanda. Because we were a network of hospitals with the same ownership. This partnership changed many lives in Africa. I think between 400 to 500 people have benefited from this encounter since 2016.
Executive Director
RIIO iHospital
Rwanda, Africa
“Vision Share’s commitment to placing ocular tissue with exceptional service is not just a statement. It is shown in every interaction. Communication is clear and proactive. Logistics are handled with precision. That level of reliability makes a real difference in patient outcomes and in the confidence of our surgical partners in the restoration of sight.”
The Eye Bank of Kentucky
Governance and Financial Transparency
Vision Share is committed to transparency, accountability, and responsible stewardship. Below you will find key organizational documents, policies, and financial statements that reflect our governance practices and operational integrity.
Interested in Supporting Global Sight Restoration?
Your support helps make sight-restoring care possible for patients around the world who might otherwise go without access to donor tissue. Every financial contribution helps expand equitable access to corneal transplantation, support global distribution efforts, and bring hope to underserved communities facing preventable blindness. Together, we can help ensure that the gift of sight reaches those who need it most, regardless of geography or economic circumstances.
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