ABOUT GLOBAL SIGHT NETWORK

Helen Keller said it best, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” Her words are the driving force behind Global Sight Network (GSN). GSN, a network of eye banks that have come together to help preserve sight for the poorest of the poor across the world, was formed in June 2008. Its purpose is to unite in a humanitarian cause by using tissue that could not be used for transplant surgery. This tissue is generally defined as having low endothelial cell counts, limited clear zones and stromal scars. GSN is embarking on a new journey to an old destination: preserving and restoring sight through the use of GSN Glycerol Plus, a long-term storage technique. This allows underserved people, who were previously denied help because of time sensitive storage media or a system that was unable to maximize distribution, the opportunity for improved sight.

GSN GOALS

1) Utilize tissue that is unused for penetrating and endothelial keratoplasty
2) Promote worldwide humanitarian use of glycerol preserved corneas
3) Foster education and research into new corneal preservation methods and surgical uses
4) Publish the clinical findings of corneas preserved through the GSN Glycerol Plus technique

With your kindness and generous contribution of tissue, funding and support, together we’ll take one more positive step toward healing blindness worldwide.

HISTORY

In 2007, the Alabama Eye Bank staff had a meeting with Jake Requard, CEO/President of Vision Share, Monty Montoya, CEO of Sightlife, Jason Woody, CEO of Lions Eye Institute for Transplantation and Research, and Dave Korroch, Executive Director of Lions Eye Bank of Eastern Virginia, to discuss the potential opportunities of developing international markets. Through this conversation, it was recommended that the Alabama Eye Bank could fill a void by transferring corneas into glycerol rather than focusing on development of international markets. Further acknowledgements are found under FAQ.