[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 49 (Thursday, March 27, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E465]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            31ST ANNUAL NATIONAL EYE DONOR MONTH--MARCH 2014

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. AARON SCHOCK

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 27, 2014

  Mr. SCHOCK. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor March 2014 as the 31st 
annual National Eye Donor Month, a month dedicated to recognizing the 
need for eye donations as well as honoring eye donors, corneal 
recipients and their families.
  Corneal diseases hamper an individual's ability to see properly. Over 
time, eye diseases lead to vision impairment or, in the most severe of 
cases, total blindness. Unfortunately, due to higher medical expenses 
and lost hours of workforce productivity, eye disorders rank as the 
fifth costliest type of diseases in the United States.
  Thankfully, since 1961 corneal transplants conducted by the Eye Bank 
Association of America (EBAA) have allowed over one million people to 
regain their vision--a success rate of more than 95%! In 2012 alone, 
46,684 corneal transplants were performed.
  Of the 97 EBAA eye banks, two--the Illinois Eye Bank-Chicago and 
Illinois Eye Bank-Watson-Gailey in Bloomington--are located in my home 
state. Because of their hard work, 2,632 corneal donations were made in 
Illinois in 2012.
  One such individual I was made aware of is Caleb. When Caleb was 5 he 
was injured in an accident that caused him to lose sight out of his 
right eye. After working with an ophthalmologist, Caleb was able to 
undergo a corneal transplant that removed the traumatic cataract and 
restored sight to Caleb's right eye. According to Caleb's mom, ``each 
new experience he encounters is special because someone had the courage 
to donate.''
  I encourage all Americans to register to become eye donors. Everyone 
is a universal corneal donor--regardless of age or blood type. Once 
registered as a corneal donor, one should notify their family of their 
wishes.
  I also urge my colleagues to work with their local eye banks in order 
to promote the importance of eye donation.
  During National Eye Donor Month all Americans should remember the 
sacrifices made by corneal donors and their families while also 
celebrating the gifts their sacrifices made to thousands. Additionally, 
we should celebrate the work of the EBAA and its member banks as they 
continue to restore the sight of thousands more throughout the U.S.

                          ____________________