Eye donation in the UK (primarily corneal donation) helps restore sight for thousands with corneal blindness. Most people can donate corneas regardless of age or poor eyesight, with corneas retrieved within 24 hours of death (Organ Donation Scotland, no date).

When eyes are donated, the cornea can be transplanted to restore vision, while the sclera may also be used in surgery. Despite this life-changing potential, awareness and understanding remain limited among both healthcare professionals and the public (University of Southampton, 2023).

Research shows that patients in palliative and hospice settings are often willing to discuss donations, but many clinicians report lacking the confidence or knowledge to initiate these sensitive conversations. Embedding eye donations into routine end-of-life care planning can help ensure patients’ wishes are understood (Long-Sutehall et al, 2023).

Timely referral is essential, as donation typically needs to occur within 24 hours of death. NHS Blood and Transplant provide clear guidance and specialist nurse support to assist families and clinicians throughout the process (NHS Blood and Transplant, no date). Evidence-based training programmes and tools, including the STEPS toolkit, have already demonstrated improved donor identification and increased clinician confidence (National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), 2024).

References

Long-Sutehall T, Zatorska A, Myall M, Faull C, Hurlow A, Mollart S, Rayment C, Short J, Wale J, Winstanley E and Bracher M (2023) Eye donation in hospice and hospital palliative care settings: perceptions, practice, and service development needs – findings from a national survey, BMC Palliative Care, 22(1), 173. doi: 10.1186/s12904-023-01300-7.

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) (2024) Hospice and palliative care services could encourage eye donation. Available at: evidence.nihr.ac.uk/alert/hospice-and-palliative-care-services-could-encourage-eye-donation/ (Accessed 30 March 2026).

NHS Blood and Transplant (no date) Education and resources. Available at: odt.nhs.uk/deceased-donation/tissue-donation/eye-referral-educational-resources/ (Accessed 30 March 2026).

Organ Donation Scotland (no date) What tissue can you donate. Available at: organdonation.scot/tissue-donation (Accessed 30 March 2026).

University of Southampton (2023) Study reveals untapped potential to increase eye donations needed for sight-restoring surgeries. Available at: southampton.ac.uk/healthsciences/news/2023/11/eye-donations-potential.page (Accessed 30 March 2026).