Abstract
Purpose :
The objective of this study is to analyze comparatively the rate of utilization of donated corneas in different types of institutions in Brazil, in order to identify and establish strategies for the optimization of efforts related to the uptake of this type of tissue and consequent reduction of the waiting list for corneal transplantation in the country.
Methods :
Data was obtained from the National Transplant System computerized system, considering donations made from 01/01/2016 to 12/31/2016. Every corneal donation in the country must be reported to the government as defined by the federal legislation. The donations were categorized by type of institution or establishment in which they were made, divided into hospital institutions, Legal Medical Institute (LMI), Death Verification Services (DVS) and Funeral Homes. The total absolute number of donations and the percentage of corneal donations considered viable for transplantation in each state and at national level were analyzed.
Results :
A total of 15,838 corneal donors were reported during the period. Corneal harvesting was performed predominantly in hospital institutions, with 71.4% of all donors, followed by funeral homes (13.9%) and LMI/DVS (9.23%). The rate of corneal donations considered viable for transplantation in relation to the total number of donations, by type of establishment, was higher in LMI/DVS (67.3%), followed by hospital donations (55.0%) and Funeral Homes (45.4%). There was a significant variation among the different states of the country, by type of institution.
Conclusions :
The search strategies for eye tissue donors follow local guidelines, defined by the State Transplant Centers and local Eye Banks, considering legal aspects as defined by the government. Logistical issues and conditions of health facilities in each region or locality should be considered and may help identify the best strategy to be used to obtain donors of this tissue, considering the various sources available and their potential for donation. A higher incidence of infection in hospitalized patients may explain partially the lower percentage of viable corneas in hospital institutions as compared to Legal Medical Institute and Death Verification Services.
This is a 2020 ARVO Annual Meeting abstract.