Key Takeaways
- Eye Donation Month takes place every November and raises awareness about cornea donation and corneal transplants.
- The Center for Organ Recovery & Education (CORE) coordinates the recovery and matching of organs, tissues, and corneas across western Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and part of New York.
- Corneal transplants depend on donated tissue, so each donor registration can help someone with a damaged cornea see again.
- Registering takes about a minute and can be done online, through the iPhone Health app, or at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- Everett & Hurite Eyecare Specialists is a Pittsburgh eye doctor with cornea expertise that proudly supports CORE each November, and patients with vision concerns can request an appointment today.
What Is Eye Donation Month?
Eye Donation Month is an annual observance led by the Eye Bank Association of America (EBAA). According to the EBAA, the month raises awareness about cornea donation and transplantation, honors donors and their families, celebrates corneal transplant recipients, and encourages people to register as donors. It takes place each November.
The 2026 theme is 'It Only Takes a Minute.' That message highlights how quick and simple it is to sign up once a person has made an informed decision to give.
Why Does Everett & Hurite Partner With CORE for Eye Donation Month?
Each November, Everett & Hurite Eyecare Specialists joins CORE in honoring Eye Donation Month. The partnership is a natural fit for a practice that has provided eye care in the Pittsburgh region since 1974.
The connection also runs through the practice's care team. Dr. Hall McGee IV, a cornea and cataract specialist at Everett & Hurite, serves as Medical Director of Eye Banking at CORE. His clinical experience includes full-thickness cornea transplants as well as partial-thickness techniques. That means he sees both sides of the process: the gift of donated tissue and the patient whose vision it restores.
What CORE Does for the Region
CORE is a nonprofit organization that coordinates the recovery and matching of organs, tissues, and corneas for transplant. In its 2025 results report, CORE reported 985 cornea donors across its service area, a 9% increase over 2024. Each donor represents a family that made a generous choice during a very hard time.
How Does Cornea Donation Restore Sight?
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped surface that covers the front of the eye. When it becomes cloudy or scarred, light cannot reach the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Vision can become poor, and in some cases blindness can result.
The EBAA explains that only the cornea can be transplanted, not the whole eye. Its data also shows that over 97% of corneal transplant operations successfully restore the recipient's vision.
Patients may need a corneal transplant for several reasons, including:
- Corneal disease that has caused cloudiness or scarring.
- Advanced keratoconus, a condition where the cornea thins and bulges into a cone shape.
- Damage from an injury, infection, or earlier eye surgery.
Not every patient with keratoconus needs a transplant. The practice offers keratoconus cross-linking, a treatment designed to stabilize the cornea and slow the condition, which may help some patients avoid transplant surgery.
How Can Patients and the Community Get Involved?
Getting involved this November can be as simple as registering and talking with family. The EBAA also recommends telling next of kin about the decision, since families are asked to take part in a health history review before donated corneas are used.
| Way to Register | How It Works | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Online with CORE | Visit core.org/register and choose your state. | CORE serves western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. |
| iPhone Health app | Complete registration through the app. | The EBAA lists this as one of the quick options. |
| Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Sign up when you get or renew a license or state ID. | The donor designation appears on your license or ID. |
Give the Gift of Sight and Protect Your Own Vision This November
Eye Donation Month is a reminder that sight is a gift that can be shared. Everett & Hurite Eyecare Specialists is proud to stand with CORE and the donors, families, and recipients across Pittsburgh whose generosity makes corneal transplants possible.
This month is also a good time to look after your own eyes. If you have blurry or distorted vision, or have not had an eye exam in a while, schedule an appointment with Everett & Hurite Eyecare Specialists to meet with a cornea-focused eye specialist in the Pittsburgh area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can be a cornea donor?
Nearly anyone can. According to the EBAA, age, eye color, and quality of eyesight do not decide whether a person can donate. Eye banks review each donor's medical history at the time of donation.
How do I complete cornea donor registration in Pittsburgh?
Visit core.org/register and select your state, sign up through the iPhone Health app, or register at the DMV. It only takes a minute, and it helps to tell your family about your decision.
Does eye donation mean the whole eye is transplanted?
No. Only the cornea, the clear front surface of the eye, can be transplanted. This is why donation can help people whose vision loss comes from corneal disease.
How does Eye Donation Month help patients with corneal disease?
Corneal transplants rely entirely on donated tissue. Eye Donation Month raises awareness so more people register, which helps surgeons restore sight for patients whose corneas are damaged.
Where can I find an eye specialist near me in Pittsburgh, PA?
Everett & Hurite Eyecare Specialists has offices in Pittsburgh, Warrendale, Butler, Greensburg, Southpointe, Monroeville, Steubenville, and Weirton. Patients looking for an ophthalmologist in Pittsburgh, PA can request an appointment online at the most convenient location.
