Table 2.
Overview of current statements of national bodies and eye bank associations on risk of SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission
| Association/National authority | Country/Region | Statement | Latest Update |
|---|---|---|---|
| Food and Drug Administration (FDA) | USA | FDA continues to monitor the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic caused by the virus, SARS-CoV-2. Respiratory viruses, in general, are not known to be transmitted by implantation, transplantation, infusion, or transfer of human cells, tissues, or cellular or tissue-based products (HCT/Ps). To date, there have been no reported cases of transmission of COVID-19 via these products. | Jan 4, 2021 |
| Paul-Ehrlich Institute (PEI) | Germany | A transmission of respiratory viruses by implantation, transplantation, infusion or transfer of human cells or tissues has not yet been described. The potential for transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through tissue preparations is currently unknown, but no cases of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via tissue preparations have been reported. Precautionary measures proposed: exclusion of potential tissue donors 1) upon contact with people with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection within 14 days before the donation, and 2) with confirmed infection within 14 days after completion of the recovery. |
May 4, 2020 |
| European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) | Europe | Suggestion to allow donation of persons who have lived in or visited areas of sustained community transmission of the virus only if tested negative for virus RNA within 72 hours before procurement. Based on the current knowledge of ACE2 and TMPSS2 distribution, the absence of evidence for infectivity of viral RNA detectable in blood, cells, tissues and organs and any reports of transfusion and transplantation-transmitted cases, the risk of COVID-19 transmission through SoHO remains theoretical. |
First update, April 29, 2020 Second update, December 10, 2020 |
| Global Alliance of Eye Bank Associations (GAEBA) | Global | There is no evidence that coronaviruses can be transmitted by human tissue or cell transplantation and therefore measures in this response are precautionary. There have been no reported cases of transmission of SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, or any other coronavirus via transplantation of human ocular tissue. | November 12, 2020 |
| All India Ophthalmological Society (AIOS) | India | Guidelines by an expert panel on how to restart eye banking and eye collection services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since May 2020, the Eye Banking activities to be resumed through hospital cornea retrieval program (HCRP) and to be from a hospital which is declared as non-COVID | May 11, 2020 |
| Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI) | India | Currently there is no evidence to suggest the spread of coronaviruses by blood transfusion or tissue transplantation. Retrieval of corneas from home settings is allowed with all precautions being taken to prevent spread of infection to technicians and to the recipient of corneas. Corneas may be utilized for therapeutic as well as optical purposes. |
December 28, 2020 |
| European Eye Bank Association (EEBA) | Europe | Referring to GAEBA and ECDC. The presence of viruses capable of reproduction after PVP iodine disinfection procedure seems very unlikely. |
Jan 10, 2020 |
| European Association of Cell and Tissue Banks (EATCB) | Europe | Referring to GAEBA and ECDC. | March 23, 2020 |