Prospective donors should indicate their intention on a donor card and or driver's license. It is important for individuals wanting to be donors to inform their family members about their decision to ensure that their desires are fulfilled. It is illegal to buy or sell human tissue or organs. Any costs associated with eye procurement or organ procurement are absorbed by the procurement agencies. Eye tissue procurement is performed within hours after death, so families may proceed as planned with funeral arrangements.
Strict laws are in existence which protect the potential donor.
Legal guidelines must be followed before death can be certified. The physician certifying a patient's death is not involved with the procurement or the transplant. Tissue must be used long before the will can be probated. However, the time of making a will is a good time to discuss eye, tissue and organ donation with close family members. Donation is a gift of life, or sight, to others.