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Southern Eye Bank, located in New Orleans, Louisiana is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit eye bank supplying eye tissue to ophthalmologists in Louisiana, throughout the United States, and internationally. Founded in 1947, our organization is the fourth oldest eye bank in the United States and has assisted more than 30,000 people with obtaining the Gift of Sight.

In the field of medicine during the 20th century, the major development was the successful transplantation of human organs and tissues. The first tissue to be successfully transplanted in humans was the cornea. Later came the kidneys, skin, hearts, lungs, pancreas, and other organs and tissues.

Such transplantation of human Gifts were greatly enhanced by a system of “banking” as to provide for an orderly acquisition, storage, and distribution of the donor tissues and organs.

Southern Eye Bank relies upon the generosity of individuals from southern Louisiana to provide ocular tissue to those in need of a Corneal Transplant. Because of this cooperation, nearly 700 residents from Louisiana receive a most precious gift each year… The GIFT of SIGHT.

Southern Eye Bank is a fully accredited charter member of the Eye Bank Association of America.