BACKGROUND: This study aimed to report the rates and experiences of corneal donation at the University Hospital Tübingen.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data from all cornea donors from January 2002 to December 2015 were analyzed. The rates of corneal donation were examined. From 2002 to 2008, an ophthalmic resident handled the corneal donor procurement in addition to his ward work. From 2009 to 2015, an ophthalmic resident handled the corneal donor procurement on a full-time basis.

RESULTS: Among the 10 260 deaths, consent for corneal donation was obtained in 892 cases. The mean annual corneal donation rate was 8.7 donors per 100 deaths (range: 2.0–17.8). The mean corneal donation rate in the first period without a full-time ophthalmic resident in the eye bank team was 4.0 donors per 100 deaths (95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.0–6.9) and in the second period 12.3 donors per 100 deaths (95 % CI: 3.2–21.5) (P<0.0001). Comparing the periods before and after the modification of the eye bank team, the corneal donation rate was increased by more than 3 times.

CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed the influence of the eye banking team on the corneal donation rate. Modification of the eye bank team, by recruiting a full-time resident at a University Hospital with 1500 beds, increased the corneal donation rate by more than 3 times. It appears necessary to strengthen this team with sufficient staff levels to improve donor rates.

Keywords: Cornea, Corneal Transplantation, Tissue and Organ Procurement