What is cornea donation?

The cornea is the clear outer layer of tissue at the front of the eye which lets in light so that you can see.

If you choose to donate your corneas after you die, you could let the light back in to someone's life.

Laura cuddles her son Noah, and both are smiling — A cornea donor gave Laura back her sight, allowing her to see her son Noah grow up.

Is it the same as eye donation ?

You may hear people talk about eye donation, and while the whole eye is donated, it is the cornea that is transplanted.

This is why when you choose to become a donor, you will see corneas among the list of organs and tissue you can choose to donate.

Did you know?

If you've already registered a decision and chose not to donate your corneas, you can amend your decision at any time.

Give the gift of sight

If you choose to become a cornea donor when you die, you could help restore the sight of patients with a variety of sight conditions.

We do not currently have enough donated corneas in the UK to help everyone in need of a transplant. You could help change this.

See who you could help

If you donate your corneas, you could help people with the following conditions:

disease or injury that has made the cornea cloudy or distorted, causing vision loss
scarring of the cornea after infections such as corneal ulcer
Keratoconus (thinning of the cornea that causes a cone-like bulge to develop, usually in young people)
age or inherited conditions that may lead to cloudiness of the cornea in older people
scarring caused by herpes, the cold sore virus

Most people can become cornea donors

Many people who are unable to donate their organs can still become cornea donors.

Paul's story

Paul Kerensa wearing a suit — Paul Kerensa is a comedian and writer, known for his work on the BBC's Miranda and Not Going Out. He is also a cornea recipient.

"Some people don’t like to donate corneas. We find eye things ‘icky’.

Others don’t want to donate anything. Many haven’t even thought about it. All I ask is, think about it.

It means that I can see, and others can live.

"Think about donation. Talk about donation. I’m hugely grateful to my donor - someone I’ve never met, but who’s changed my life."

"I know that my cornea belonged to a 65-year-old woman. I thank her for her legacy."

How to become a cornea donor

If you would like to help others after you die by becoming a cornea donor, the best thing to do is to add your name and decision to the NHS Organ Donor Register.

Act now to change lives in the future.

Have you registered your organ donation decision?

It takes just two minutes to register online.

See the choices you can make

Alternatively, you can call us on 0300 123 23 23.

Why register?

Find out why it's really important that you do.

Questions or concerns about cornea donation?

Find out more about cornea donation and funeral arrangements, who can donate and more.

Get the facts now

Talk to your loved ones

Organ donation will only go ahead with the support of your family, and clinicians will never proceed with organ donation if your family or loved ones object.

Get tips on how to talk to your loved ones about organ donation