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In 1988, the International Federation of Eye Banks (IFEB) was founded by Tissue Banks International (TBI)* in conjunction with the Saudi Eye Foundation! in response to the many requests received to assist in opening eye banks outside the United States, particularly in developing countries. An International Advisory Committee§ was named with Alfred Sommer, MD, Dean of The Johns Hopkins University School of Hygiene and Public Health, as its Chairman. This Committee reviewed the requests and targeted Egypt as the first initiative. After 2 years of planning, constructing, training, and equipping laboratories, the IFEB opened two eye banks in Egypt: one at the University of Cairo and the other at Aim Shams University. Although these programs are Cairobased, they provide corneas for operating surgeons throughout Egypt. Corneas are obtained from local morgues in Cairo using a presumed consent law which was endorsed by the Imam of Egypt. As a result of these initiatives, approximately 1500 corneal transplants are performed annually in Cairo as compared to approximately 200 prior to these eye bank programs. Technical training for local personnel was provided by the IFEB's international technical training director who spent 9 months in Cairo.
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