UK Keratoconus Self-Help and Support Association

I've just got a new Boots loyalty card which (at my request) has printed on it that I'm an organ donor.

Shamefully I havent been on the Register before , I'm quite willing to donate all my bits, but what about my eyes ? Should I let them know I've got KC - and does this make any diffrence to donated eye tissue ?

Chris xxx

Hmmm.......I'd note on the card someplace that your eyes are exempt. Sorry, none of us here want used corneas with a case of KC already going.......

Put my name on the line where you wish your Grandmother's China to be donated!

Cheers, Piper

Thanks Piper

I rang them and they said all the 'bits' are carefully examined before transplant. I had visions (?) of me being hit by a bus and some poor soul getting my odd shaped eyes !

I have also noted your request for my Grandmother's china

Chris xx

Christine,

Hey there!

I have always carried a Boots loyalty card with the donor sign on it. When it asked on registering about which parts you consent to I just left out corneas as I knew that they wouldn't be any use to anyone else. I am trying to get rid of them myself!!

Since I joined though I have had a graft. With regards to blood and organ donation we are unable to donate if we have had a donor part ourselves, so now while I still carry my card I don't think that they will use anything. The major risk they see is BSE worries so they would rather ensure that the donors are surgery free.

Hope that helps!

As far as i am aware even if corneas are not suitable for transplant corneas may still be used for research.
Take care all
Luv
martwoman

You ought to notify the donor people that you have keratoconus. if you have a transplant you are automatically excluded from giving tissue of any sort, or even (in the UK) from becoming a blood donor.

Andrew

I was not aware of that as i cannot give blood as i don't weigh the legal minimum weight for this. it was a previous doctor of mine who told me that corneas that are unsuitable for transplant may be able to be used for research or sure i have also read this somewhere but cann't remember were. But thanks for letting me Know any way

Even if you can donate organs, they are tested to make sure they are suitable and if not then they get used for research.

Post transplant you can always change your will leaving yourbody to medical science for further research.