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Human Whole-Eye Donation for Research-Optimizing Clinical Trial Informed Consent.
1Global Head of Bioethics, Bioethics Department, F. Hoffmann-La Roche AG, Basel, Switzerland.
JAMA Ophthalmology
|March 21, 2024
Summary
Posthumous whole-eye donations can now be directed to a donor's research team via clinical trial consent. This preserves valuable longitudinal research data, enhancing scientific understanding of eye treatments.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Translational Research
- Biobanking
Background:
- Posthumous whole-eye (globe) donations for research often disconnect from the donor's affiliated research team.
- This disconnection results in lost opportunities for longitudinal data collection on eyes involved in ongoing research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish a mechanism for posthumous research donation of whole eyes (globes).
- To direct these donations to the donor's current research team, preserving longitudinal research experience.
Main Methods:
- Review of current globe donation pathways.
- Consultation of published guidance from ophthalmology, brain banking, and implantable medical device fields.
Main Results:
- Globe donation is a valuable, albeit small, component of ocular donation.
- Globe donations are crucial for total human eye allotransplantation trials and ophthalmic drug/device research.
Conclusions:
- Invasive eye research protocols should include options for posthumous globe donation.
- Implementing a research-informed consent framework for globe donation facilitates scientific knowledge generation.
