• 1. What is GlycerolPlus Cornea?


    GlycerolPlus Cornea is corneal allograft tissue from human donors, initially recovered and preserved into sterile short-term medium, and then stored in glycerol, a dehydrating agent.

  • 2. What is the basis of glycerol preservation?


    Glycerol is a chemical compound commonly called glycerin. Widely used in pharmaceutical formulations, this colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid has three hydrophilic hydroxyl groups that impart both its solubility in water and its hygroscopic (water-absorbing) nature. As a dehydrating agent, glycerol has properties that make it suitable for long-term storage of corneas for purposes not requiring viable cell layers. Pioneering experimental and clinical studies by J.H. King and associates established the utility of glycerol preservation for tissues destined for lamellar keratoplasties. Dr. King first used corneas preserved in 95% commercial glycerol under vacuum to ensure an anhydrous state. Later, equivalent dehydration was achieved by including in the glycerol molecular sieves. These sodium and calcium alumino-silicates are physical adsorptive agents that remove water to an extremely low vapor pressure. They are placed in every vial containing GSN tissue.

  • 3. What procedures can utilize GlycerolPlus Corneas?


    GlycerolPlus Corneas can be used for tectonic or emergency surgeries, glaucoma drainage device coverage, anterior lamellar keratoplasty, and keratoprosthesis.

  • 4. What are the advantages of GlycerolPlus Corneas for my glaucoma patients?


    With high tensile strength and rigidity, cornea provides safety, good cosmesis, and durability for glaucoma shunt coverage, at competitive prices. Click here to learn more about GlycerolPlus Cornea for glaucoma surgery.

  • 5. What can GlycerolPlus Corneas do for my clinical practice?


    Thanks to long-term storage (up to 5 years at room temperature), tissue can be always available for your patients. No advance scheduling is necessary

  • 6. Which tissues does GSN preserve in glycerol?


    GSN processes corneas that were originally preserved in standard short-term storage medium by one of our partner eye banks and then transferred to GSN. Donors meet all eligibility requirements of the source eye bank, the Eye Bank Association of America, and the United States Food and Drug Administration. Corneas are free from infiltrates and radial keratotomy (RK) scarring. Corneas with any size clear zone, any cell count, refractive surgery other than RK, and pterygium are acceptable for glycerol preservation by GSN..

  • 7. Can I try out a GlycerolPlus Cornea to see if I like it?


    Trial samples are available upon request.

  • 8. What is GSN?

    Global Sight Network™ (GSN) is a network of EBAA-accredited eye banks who collaborate to provide corneas for long-term preservation glycerol, commonly called glycerin.

  • 9. Why is GSN unique?


    Though glycerol has been available as a preservation medium for many years, a worldwide network for the collection and distribution had not been established. GSN, set up to process and distribute GlycerolPlus Corneas, is based on the EBAA and VisionShare, two highly successful collaborative arrangements that eye banks already share.

  • 10. What are the memberships, certifications, and affiliations of GSN?

     
    GSN is a service of the Alabama Eye Bank, which 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.

  • 11. What is the preferred method of communication with GSN?


    tissue@globalsightnetwork.org.

  • 12. Why is another eye bank’s name listed on the shipping information, in addition to GSN?


    Many of the largest US eye banks are partners of GSN. The eye bank that sent the cornea to GSN for processing is indicated on the shipping box and in the accompanying forms. In this way GSN complies with regulations and recognizes its partner eye banks.

  • 13.What is the cost to surgeons or surgical facilities for GSN tissue?


    Glycerol-preserved corneas are competitively priced. Contact GSN at tissue@globalsightnetwork.org for pricing information.

  • 14. Why do I have to provide information about the recipient of the grafts to GSN?


    The Food and Drug Administration and the Eye Bank Association of America require that eye banks track tissues from the donor to the recipient so that {…}. This information includes patient name, age, sex, diagnosis, procedure, outcomes, and any adverse effects. This requirement is in place to maximize recipient safety, because any breach of procedure affecting patient safety can be immediately communicated to surgeons who accepted tissue from the same donor. Recipient information is reported to these regulatory agencies to assist them in updating and streamlining regulations. Finally, it is used in research reports that can explain GSN’s activities to the medical profession and international aid community through peer-reviewed publications. Such publications are essential for maintaining the scientific basis of corneal transplant surgery and for securing funding from external sources.

  • 15. How do I provide recipient information to GSN?


    Recipient information can be entered online via our secure website or by fax. Instructions for entering this information is found on the Recipient Information Form shipped with every GSN tissue.

  • 16. What shipping method is used?


    Federal Express is preferred; other carriers may be used upon request.

    17. How can my surgery center participate in research projects?


    Please contact tissue@globalsightnetwork.org.

    18. How do I order GlycerolPlus Cornea from GSN?


    Please contact tissue@globalsightnetwork.org.

    19. What are the current CPT codes for the procedures that can use GlycerolPlus Corneas?


    67255. This is the same code as for scleral graft.

    20. What are the directions for use of Glycerol-preserved corneas?


    Click here for a pdf document of the directions.

  • 21. Are there any videos demonstrating the surgical use of GlycerolPlus Cornea?


    Click to view video, "Shunt Patch Grafts Using Glycerol Preserved Cornea"

  • 22. How do I prepare GlycerolPlus Cornea for glaucoma shunt coverage?


    Click here for a illustrated instruction sheet.