Guest: Heather Machin, Head of the Lions Eye Donation Service (Melbourne); Chair, Global Alliance of Eye Bank Associations

Eye donation is about science, compassion, and community. Heather Machin lifts the lid on how eye banks honour donors and families, prepare tissue for surgery and research, and help restore sight in Australia and around the world—while navigating ethics, regulation, and the future of bioengineered corneas.

Content Advisory

This episode includes discussion of eye donation in the context of end of life. Listener discretion advised.

In this episode:

• What eye banks do and why Heather calls them “custodians of the gift.”
• Donation pathways: organs vs tissue; cornea vs sclera; how consent works with families.
• How tissue is prepared and stored (corneoscleral discs, preservation media, timelines).
• Access & equity: why Australia can pre-book surgeries—and why many countries can’t.
• Costs & funding: cost-recovery vs “selling” tissue; how pricing actually works.
• Ethics & safety: the Barcelona Principles; counterfeit risks; regulation (TGA).
• Training the workforce: education in a niche field; collaborating internationally.
• The future: precut tissue, injectors, CARES, bioengineering & cell therapies; where AI might help.
• What listeners can do: register intent and—crucially—tell your family.

Key resources for this episode:

DonateLife Australia (Eye & Tissue Donation Awareness)

• Overview of eye & tissue donation in Australia, myths, facts, how donation works. 
• “How Does Donation Work” — explains that eye donation can occur up to 24 hours after death, and steps in registration & family discussion. 
• “Get Involved” page — ways for community, schools, or workplaces to engage. 

Lions Eye Donation Service / CERA

• They are one of Australia’s leading eye banks (Melbourne) that manage donations, evaluation, and distribution.“Why Become an Eye Donor” — discusses eligibility, how donated corneas are used, and the role of research/training.
• Frequently Asked Questions (CERA Biobank) — details about donations to research, ethics, and contact information.

Eye Bank Association of Australia & New Zealand (EBAANZ)

• The peak body for eye donation and transplantation services in Australia and NZ. 
• Donation & Transplantation section — outlines how eye tissue donation works, including the need for consent and how tissue is used.
• FAQ: Explains what an eye bank is, donation eligibility, ethics, and standards. 

Acknowledgements

Produced with support from Humdinger Studio (Melbourne), Gulwa Recording Studio (Darwin), the University of Melbourne, the Centre for Eye Research Australia, Optometry Australia, and mivision.

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