SCARBOROUGH resident Jason Crozier avoided the shattering prospect of losing sight in his right eye with a cornea transplant organized by the Lions Eye Bank.
Diagnosed with keratoconus – a cornea thinning disorder that causes distortion and reduced vision – when he was a youngster, Mr Crozier (33) had the surgery three years ago.
“Ultimately, it would have continued to get worse and my cornea would have perforated and eventually I’d have lost the eye,” he said.
“When it might happen was one of those unknowns.”
Part of the Lions Eye Institute, the eye bank celebrates its 25th anniversary this year after arranging corneal transplants for more than 3400 people.
A senior marine biologist with Sinclair Knight Merz, Mr Crozier said his eyesight was essential to his field duties carrying out underwater observations and his sporting interests away from work.
The efforts of the eye bank and the kindness of the cornea donor had improved his sight and just as importantly, given him peace of mind.
“I’m very grateful to that person and their family, and that they made that decision to give after they had passed away,” Mr Crozier said.
Lions Save-Sight Foundation WA Chairman Ambrose Depiazzi said the foundation continued to prompt community discussion about the sensitive issue of tissue donation, as transplants were the only option for many people with damaged or diseased corneas.
“Many people do not realize that they are more likely to be in a position to donate eye tissue due to broader age and medical acceptance criteria,” Mr Depiazzi said.
The institute is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on support from the community.
Contact the Lions Save-Sight Foundation
Diagnosed with keratoconus – a cornea thinning disorder that causes distortion and reduced vision – when he was a youngster, Mr Crozier (33) had the surgery three years ago.
“Ultimately, it would have continued to get worse and my cornea would have perforated and eventually I’d have lost the eye,” he said.
“When it might happen was one of those unknowns.”
Part of the Lions Eye Institute, the eye bank celebrates its 25th anniversary this year after arranging corneal transplants for more than 3400 people.
A senior marine biologist with Sinclair Knight Merz, Mr Crozier said his eyesight was essential to his field duties carrying out underwater observations and his sporting interests away from work.
The efforts of the eye bank and the kindness of the cornea donor had improved his sight and just as importantly, given him peace of mind.
“I’m very grateful to that person and their family, and that they made that decision to give after they had passed away,” Mr Crozier said.
Lions Save-Sight Foundation WA Chairman Ambrose Depiazzi said the foundation continued to prompt community discussion about the sensitive issue of tissue donation, as transplants were the only option for many people with damaged or diseased corneas.
“Many people do not realize that they are more likely to be in a position to donate eye tissue due to broader age and medical acceptance criteria,” Mr Depiazzi said.
The institute is a non-profit organization that relies heavily on support from the community.
Contact the Lions Save-Sight Foundation
on 9381 0767 when the office is in attendance
Wednesday 8.30-5pm or Thursday 8.30am –12.30pm
Write or email
Lions Save-Sight Foundation (WA) Inc
2 Verdun Street Nedlands
Western Australia 6009
Fax: (61 8) 9382 1171
E-mail: lss@eye.uwa.edu.au
