Eye Bank Center to centralize collection

Memphis, TN-TBI/Tissue Banks International has built the first National Eye Bank Center here to centralize the screening, evaluation, and shipping of eye tissue for corneal transplant surgery and ocular research.

The $3 million facility, which opened in September near the worldwide headquarters of FedEx, is designed to streamline cornea preparation and distribution to ensure the safe handling of eye tissue. TBI said the center offers the largest concentration of ocular tissue for corneal transplant procedures and other ocular surgery.

Advanced Medical Optics, the Plough Foundation, Alcon Laboratories Inc., Allergan Inc., and the Karl Kirchgessner Foundation were among those contributing to the project. A fund-raising campaign brought in nearly three-quarters of the money needed, said Kathi Terlizzese, vice president, public information, for TBI/Tissue Banks International.