asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that difficulty is being experienced by ophthalmic surgeons in obtaining suitable specimens for corneal grafting; and whether, in view of the importance of this operation for the relief of blindness in certain cases, he will take steps to alleviate the present position.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Corneal Grafting Facilities.
11.
I am advised that many ophthalmic surgeons in this country perform corneal grafts and that difficulty is experienced in some cases in obtaining suitable material.
I understand that ophthalmic surgeons depend generally for corneal grafts on eyes enucleated for various conditions, such as injuries, tumours, etc., and that little use is made in this country of eyes from deceased persons. I would like it to be known that while there is no special legislation permitting the use of the eyes of deceased persons for corneal grafting, this does not mean that it is illegal to do so. I am advised that a surgeon can lawfully remove the eyes of a deceased person provided he has the consent of the next-of-kin. Furthermore, while a person cannot by his will dispose of his body or any part of it for therapeutic purposes, nevertheless there is no legal barrier to the implementing, with the consent of the next-of-kin, of a wish to this effect expressed by the person before his death.