THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS BENEFIT FROM QLD EYE BANK

21 February 2008

Over 10,000 Australians have had their eyesight repaired since the Queensland Eye Bank was first established in 1992, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson was speaking at the 25^th national Cornea and Eye Bank annual conference

in Brisbane, where Australia and New Zealand’s leading specialists are discussing new techniques in eye tissue donation and transplantation.

“The Queensland Eye Bank, which is located at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, is now the largest eye bank in Australia and provides up to 14 corneas a week as well as other eye tissue to recipients across the country.

“Last year the Eye Bank, which is a Queensland Health service, retrieved tissue from 338 donors.

“I am very proud that today representatives from the Queensland Eye Bank can share their skills and knowledge with the rest of the country,” Mr Robertson said.

Brisbane social worker Angela Tonge received a corneal graft at the PAH this week, allowing her to keep her sight. It is the fourth transplant she has had to treat keratoconus, a disease which distorts the shape of the cornea, causing severe visual problems.

“I had my first transplant more than 15 years ago and it was a nervous wait for tissue to become available.

“Since the opening of the Eye Bank, along with changes in technology, I haven’t had the uncertainty of waiting for a donor,” Ms Tonge said.

“Instead of staying in hospital for five days, it’s all over in 45 minutes.

“Thanks to the unselfishness of the donors’ families, the skill and expertise of the doctors and the help of the Queensland Eye Bank, I’ve had the best outcome possible.

“I can see and do things in my life that other people take for granted – like work, drive and travel,” Ms Tonge said.

The Cornea and Eye Bank conference will run from 21-22 February and is part of Australian Organ Donation Awareness Week from 17-24 February.

Representatives from eye bank facilities across Australia and New Zealand as well as ophthalmic physicians and surgeons will discuss new techniques as well as announce a number of innovations in eye tissue donation and transplantation at the conference.

Australians have been receiving tissue transplants (corneas (eye tissue), heart valves and bone tissue) as well as organ transplants (heart, lung, liver, kidneys and pancreas) since 1965. To date more than 30,000 men, women and children have received life saving or life enhancing transplants.

In 2006 there were 137 Queensland eye tissue donors.

Mr Robertson has urged all Queenslanders to consider joining the Australian Organ Donor Register.

Queenslanders can record their decision to donate organs and tissues for transplantation through the Australian Organ Donor Register by calling 1800 777 203, logging onto www.medicareaustralia.gov.au or visiting their local Medicare office.

MEDIA: AMANDA FROUDE 3225 2680