Ethics in Eye Banking: Understanding Professional Attitudes Toward Industry Changes

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Bioethics
• Health Policy

Background:

• The landscape of corneal donation, processing, and distribution is evolving with the introduction of for-profit entities.
• Understanding the ethical perspectives of key stakeholders is crucial for policy development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the ethical attitudes of corneal surgeons and eye bank leadership concerning for-profit organizations in the corneal donation industry.
• To identify specific concerns and potential benefits associated with for-profit involvement.

Main Methods:

• A survey was conducted with 50 corneal surgeons and 25 eye bank leaders from Eye Bank Association of America-accredited institutions.
• A 22-question interview protocol focused on changes in the corneal donation industry, including the role of for-profit companies.

Main Results:

• A majority of participants (62% surgeons, 68% leaders) voiced concerns about for-profit entry into eye banking.
• Primary concerns included potential loss of donor trust (56% surgeons, 64% leaders) and exploitation of donor generosity (72% surgeons, 60% leaders).
• Physicians partnered with for-profit processors were more likely to express no concerns (P=0.04).

Conclusions:

• Key stakeholders hold significant ethical beliefs regarding for-profit entities in eye banking.
• These attitudes must inform the development of future ethical corneal donation policies.
• Further research is recommended to explore donor and donor family perspectives.