Technical:
1. What can GSN do for my eye bank?
GSN transfers into glycerol for transplant corneas that were previously unused. This provides new sight-restorative options for such tissue.
It also provides fulfillment of donor or donor family wishes. Further, if tissues are used for a reimbursable surgery, there is possible recovery of costs. 2. Which tissues can you use?
GSN accepts tissues that are free from infiltrates and radial keratotomy (RK) scarring and meets donor eligibility requirements, according to specifications
of the source eye bank, the Eye Bank Association of America and the United States Food and Drug Administration. Corneas with any clear zone, any cell count,
other refractive surgery, and pterygium are acceptable, however anterior caps from corneas that have been pre-cut will not be accepted. 3. What tissues are not acceptable?
Tissues pending donor eligibility and tissues containing infiltrates and RK scarring are not acceptable. 4. For what procedures will these tissues be used?
Corneas preserved in glycerol can be used for tectonic or emergency surgeries, glaucoma shunt coverage, and anterior lamellar keratoplasty.
(Tissues used for anterior lamellar keratoplasty need a clear zone of at least 7 mm.) 5. Who determines donor eligibility?
The source eye bank. 6. Is there a maximum donor age limit?
GSN does not set a maximum age limit. 7. How do I offer tissue to GSN?
(click here) 8. Besides donor eligibility and tissue suitability, are there other factors that may cause tissue to be declined?
- Arrives with a cracked container or cap not properly tightened
- Shows evidence of vial leaking
- Shows evidence of improperly maintained temperature
- Is determined a rule-out by GSN
- Shows evidence of media color change due to a pH shift Disposition of tissue is at the discretion of GSN.
9. What tissue preservation media will you accept?
Corneas preserved in an FDA approved medium, such as Optisol-GS or Eusol-C. 10. What shipping method is preferred?
FedEx 11. How is tissue usage determined by GSN?
It is determined by need and evaluation. 12. What is the advantage of providing glycerol-preserved corneas for glaucoma shunt coverage over corneas preserved in Optisol-GS or Eusol-C?
A rehydrated, glycerol-preserved cornea facilitates achieving the optimal cornea thickness for the glaucoma
hunt coverage. The combination of glycerol and molecular sieves dehydrates the cornea, which swells when rehydrated, making it easier to divide the stroma horizontally. 13. Can GSN return tissue to the source eye bank after its corneas are transferred into glycerol?
At its launch, GSN prefers that tissue be collected, preserved, and distributed by GSN to ensure due diligence and research during the process.
GSN will review this practice in due time. 14. Can my eye bank receive the glycerol solution and transfer the corneas ourselves?
Not at this time due to the requirements of validation and paperwork that must accompany a supply/reagent. 15. What testing did GSN perform to validate the transferring of corneas into glycerol?
GSN conducted the bioburden indication tests through performing microbiological culture swabs as well as testing for toxicity levels for ethylene oxide sterilized vials.
Administrative:
1. What is GSN?
Global Sight NetworkSM (GSNSM ) is a service of the Alabama Eye Bank to provide corneas for long-term preservation. Currently, this long-term preservation is glycerol,
commonly called glycerin, although other methods and preservation media are being explored. GSN is the outlet for other eye banks to place corneas deemed unsuitable
for penetrating or endothelial keratoplasties.
2. Why is GSN unique?
Until GSN was formed in 2008, transferring corneas into glycerol for surgical use in developing countries was rarely done. Though glycerol has been used
for many years, a network for the collection and distribution for surgical purposes has not been performed on a global basis.
3. How was GSN formed?
In 2007, 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 eye banking. Through this conversation, it was recommended that the Alabama Eye Bank would fill a void by transferring
corneas into glycerol. Additional guidance was given by Jens Saakvitne, Executive Director, North Carolina Eye Bank; Elizabeth Fout-Caraza, Executive Director,
Florida Lions Eye Bank; Dr. Sander Dubovy, Medical Director, Florida Lions Eye Bank; Dr. George Rosenwasser, Medical Director, Gift of Life Donor Program;
Dr. Roswell Pfister, Medical Director, Alabama Eye Bank; Dr. Mark Wood, Christian Blind Mission Ophthalmologists, Tanzania, Africa; Francisco Fantes, Professor,
Clinical Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute; Dr. Christopher Girkin, Professor of Ophthalmology and Director of Glaucoma Services,
University of Alabama at Birmingham; Dr. Alain Boughadou, of Algeria, Africa; Robert Gayhart, Executive Director, Lions Eye Bank of Lexington, KY;
Billy and Dana Arnett, Marvelous Works, Somerset, KY; Michael T. Johnson, MT Johnson & Associates; Dr. , Associate Medical Director, Alabama Eye Bank;
and Dr. Francis Price Jr, Founder and President of the Board, Cornea Research Foundation of America.
4. What are the memberships, certifications, and affiliations of GSN?
GSN is a service of the Alabama Eye Bank. AEB is accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America, registered with the Food and Drug Administration, and affiliated with the
Pan American Association of Eye Banks and the European Eye Bank Association.
5. What is eyeTrain?
It is a series of video tutorials designed to guide participating eye banks to learn how to enter data into the GSN Green Data Entry website.
6. Can an eye bank provide international and domestic surgeon referrals to GSN?
Yes! As growth occurs, GSN expects to serve people of many continents. Referrals will remain those of the source eye bank and will not be shared with others.
Tissue accounts will not be used for any reason other than as directed by the source eye bank.
7. Why did you decide to trademark the name?
Non-profit organizations are not exempt from legal challenges or misunderstandings. Protecting the rights of the name and service ensures certain rights for participants and users.
8. Why is GSN requiring a consignment agreement?
An agreement helps define the expectations and roles for both the source eye bank and GSN.
9. How often will an eye bank receive statistics and other information?
Quarterly.
10. What is the preferred method of communication?
Email (see contact information).
11. Will source eye bank’s name be listed on the shipping information to the end user?
Yes. It will be included on the label and paperwork that accompanies every tissue.
12. What GSN tissue uses are reimbursable to the source eye bank?
Glaucoma shunt coverage and some anterior lamellar keratoplasties may be reimbursable. Usually, corneas are provided gratis for tectonic surgeries.
13. What is the reimbursement for the source eye bank?
The reimbursement structure is evolving and may fluctuate, depending on the amount of participation and additional funding. GSN’s current goal is to
reimburse the source eye bank 50 percent of the amount received.
