Did you

know that you could help give someone sight through a

generous gift of eye donation.

Seriously.

Corneas

from donated eyes can preserve vision for some people in

danger of losing their sight to injury or disease. The

cornea is the clear tissue covering the colored part of

the eye and focuses light entering the eye.

"A

corneal transplant is the most successful of all tissue

transplants," said Dr. Jackson T. Giles, a Georgia

eye doctor in Newnan. "More than 43,000 cornea

transplants are made from donor eyes each year. In

addition, some 38,000 donor eyes are used each year for

research on eye disease and conditions that threaten

vision."

March is

National Eye Donor Month and the Eye Bank Association of

America would like everyone to consider becoming a donor.

Eye donation does not affect the appearance of the donor,

and donors' identities are kept confidential.

To become a

donor, simply fill out a donor card indicating your donor

status on your driver's license. "Family consent is

required at the time of donation," said Giles.

"It is very important to share your desire to donate

with your family."

For

information, phone the Eye Bank Association of America at

202-775-4999 or the American Academy of Ophthalmology at

415-561-8500.