World’s Largest Eye Bank has Served a Nation for Three Decades

In this issue of JOVR, Javadi and co-authors have provided a comprehensive analysis and statistical report of the activities of the Central Eye Bank of Iran (CEBI) over a period of 27 years.[1] CEBI is globally the largest provider of transplantable cornea, recovering from one single city, Tehran, the capital, with a population of approximately nine million. During the last 10 years alone, the eye bank has distributed 61,725 corneas suitable for transplant,[1] with a mean distribution of 6,172 surgical grade corneas per year. This number is by far more than the distribution of any eye bank of a major city. I have personally visited Iran in multiple occasions since 1994, had the opportunity to visit CEBI, review and provide input and guidance. I can confidently state that the quality of work in CEBI is at par with any certified Western eye bank. Latest state-of-the-art equipment, clean rooms, stringent medical standard, highly trained and well-experienced technical personnel, and on-site availability of two co-medical directors specialized in ocular pathology for review and tissue release are a testament to the quality of work performed at this eye bank. All corneas are required to be evaluated, processed, released, and distributed to surgeons around the country within 48 h post procurement. Forms and medical records are in English in this unique eye bank which is accommodating to international trainees as well as facilitating international review and inspection.