Cornea transplant can save sight.

Bernie had Fuch's dystrophy. It came as a surprise and a shock, a surprise because probably, like you, she had never heard of it; and a shock because it was attacking her eyes and she was going to lose her sight. The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye. In Fuch's dystrophy it is damaged, becomes no longer transparent and vision is lost.

To restore her sight, Bernie needed both corneas to be replaced with donor corneas.

Keratoplasty is the surgical procedure whereby a healthy cornea, usually from a deceased, human donor, is used to replace a damaged one. Three thousand are replaced annually in the UK in a procedure that is successful in 90% of cases.

Most people forget about corneas when it comes to thinking about organ donation. But almost anyone can be a donor, so it is important to give some thought.

The corneas need to be removed within 24 hours of death, so it is vital that your family and family doctor are aware of your wishes beforehand. You should also carry a donor card.

Bernie has explained to me that she will never know who her donors were, and they will never know how grateful she is for the gift of sight they have given to her.

Her sight is now good and she can do everything she wants to.

If you would like to know that after your death you could do something as precious as helping to restore someone's sight, write to this address:

Transplant co-ordinator's office

Freeman Hospital

High Heaton

Newcastle NE7 7DN

Alternatively, call [phone].