How Donation Works • Fact or Fiction • Anatomy of the Eye • FAQs

Common myths and misconceptions about eye, organ and tissue donation

Myth: Only hearts, livers and kidneys can be transplanted.

Fact: Transplantable organs include the heart, liver, lungs, pancreas and intestines. Transplantable tissue includes eyes, skin, bones, heart valves and tendons. One person choosing to become a donor can save or enhance up to 50 lives.

Myth: If I donate my eye tissue, I won’t be able to have an open casket funeral.

Fact: Your appearance will not be affected by eye tissue recovery. When recovering eye tissue, recovery technicians take extreme care to protect the face and eyelids before, during and after the procedure. Even when an entire eye is recovered, the recovery technician places a special orb under the donor’s eyelid to preserve its appearance, so that funeral arrangements and viewings can proceed as usual.

Myth: It is against my religion to become an eye, organ and tissue donor.

Fact: All major religions support organ and tissue donation. Please talk to your spiritual leader for more information.

Myth: It will cost my family money to donate my organs and tissues.

Fact: There is no cost to the donor or the donor’s family. Bills associated with organ and tissue transplantation are paid by the insurance company of the recipient. It is also important to note that there is never a charge for the tissue itself, though the Eye-Bank does receive a tissue processing fee, which helps offset the substantial costs involved in recovering, evaluating and distributing tissue.

Myth: If the doctors and healthcare workers know I am a registered donor, they will not work as hard to save my life.

Fact: Doctors are most concerned with saving lives, and they will only consider the option of organ donation after all lifesaving measures have been exhausted and the patient is officially deceased. Additionally, the law requires that the team working to save a patient’s life be completely separate from the team who may recover donated organs and tissues after death has been pronounced.

Myth: My medical history makes ineligible to become a donor.

Fact: People of all ages and medical conditions should consider themselves potential donors. Before using your organs and tissues, medical professionals will review your medical and social history to determine whether you can be a donor. Medical advances mean many more people can be donors, despite medical problems and age, than in the past.

Myth: Signing the back of your driver’s license or carrying a donor card is all you need to do to be considered as a donor.

Fact: To guarantee that you will be considered an organ donor upon your death, you need to the join the Illinois Organ/Tissue Donor Registry. Even though it is enough to join the registry, we urge you to discuss your wishes regarding organ donation with your family.