Z52: Donors of organs and tissues

Z52.5: Cornea donor

Sometimes vital organs no longer work properly. There can be a variety of reasons for that. The affected people can be helped with a properly functioning replacement organ. The appropriate organ or tissue can be donated by other people. The donor organ or donor tissue has to be removed surgically.

Certain organs can only be donated by deceased individuals because life is impossible without those organs. These include the heart or the lungs, for example. You can specify before you die whether you wish to donate organs. You may also specify which organs you wish to donate. If you have not specified anything, that decision is taken by your next of kin after you die.

The cornea is located at the front of the eye. It is transparent and curved. The curvature focuses light in the eye. This is vital to be able to see clearly.