The 2022 Eye Banking Statistical Report includes data from all 55 U.S. and 11 international member eye banks, plus one EBAA-accredited bank for the calendar year 2022 and represents a complete picture of eye banking activity among eye banks.
U.S. eye banks reported 122,472 total tissue recoveries from 61,747 donors in 2022. 62.5% of corneal donors were listed on a donor registry. In 2022, total donors were down 3.6% and total corneas donated were down 3.3% compared to 2020. This was due to the dual impact of the COVID-19 Omicron variant and the corneal storage solution supply crisis of 2022.
This year’s report includes the popular annual comparison of the domestic use of U.S. supplied intermediate-term preserved tissue and the analysis of the types of keratoplasty performed for a specific diagnosis. Data was separated by location of use (domestic vs. international) and keratoplasty type (PK, EK, or ALK), which allows for side-by-side comparison of domestic vs. international indications for keratoplasty.
The total number of U.S. supplied tissue distributed for keratoplasty (including long-term preserved tissue) was 79,126, a 0.6% decrease from 79,641 in 2021. Domestic keratoplasty procedures increased slightly from 49,110 in 2021 to 49,597 in 2022 (1%). The number of domestic PK (15,835), DSAEK (15,544), and DMEK (15,248) procedures were essentially the same in 2022. Total international exports were down 3% from 22,928 in 2021 to 22,238 in 2022 and accounted for the slight overall drop in total transplants using intermediate-term preservation medium. Both domestic and international transplant numbers still lag behind pre-COVID numbers.
U.S. eye banks also provided 20,577 ocular tissues for research and training in 2022.
Since its inception 61 years ago, EBAA has provided statistics as a compilation of valuable data from member eye banks. Since 1961, member eye banks have provided tissue for over 2,279,302 individuals whose sight was restored through corneal transplants.
The Eye Banking Statistical Report would not be possible without the active participation and support of EBAA members and the dedication of the EBAA Statistical Report Committee. The Statistical Report is a valuable and useful resource for eye banks to review their operational efficacy and to drive performance improvement efforts.
Members can access the report in the Members Section using the “Statistical Reporting” tab.
If you are a non-member, the statistical report can be purchased here for $90.