Korean Ophthalmologists Oppose Nonphysician Eye Retrieval
The Korean ophthalmologists’ association opposed allowing nonphysicians to retrieve eyes from deceased donors, arguing that the procedure requires medical expertise tied to transplant outcomes.
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The Korean ophthalmologists’ association issued its position on October 21 as discussion emerged over expanding who may retrieve eyes from deceased donors. The association supported efforts to increase domestic eye donation and reduce reliance on imported corneas but argued that retrieval should remain a physician’s responsibility.
Why the association objects
The association characterized eye retrieval as more than routine tissue collection, saying that professional medical judgment during the procedure is connected to transplant results and patient safety. It therefore opposed treating retrieval as a nonmedical task that could be assigned to nonphysicians.
The safety concern is the association’s policy position and should not be read as a clinical result that determines the size of the risk or the difference in transplant outcomes between physicians and nonphysicians.
Proposed priority for eye donation policy
The association argued that policymakers should first determine why domestic donation remains low instead of beginning with broader retrieval eligibility. The medical community called for review of the process from donation through transplantation and for a stronger retrieval system involving specialists.
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