ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Educational training within eye bank staff is needed to fulfill legal requirements and to keep staff up-to-date in times of rapid change and innovation.Especially when starting with eye banking a good and close contact to experienced colleagues could be of great benefit for both parties - the newcomers and old stagers. PURPOSE: The exchange of experiences and the mutual support in key processes of eye retrieval and banking contributes to the establishment of a structured and functional cooperation with the further goal of establishing a successful network far beyond the national borders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In July 2018 a first visit of Hornhautbank Munich team in Malta was organized followed by a visit of Malta staff members in November 2018 and July 2019 and a further visit in August 2022 after a longer pause related to Covid-pandemic.The SOPs of both facilities were compared with regard to local regulations and analyzed to assess how they can best be implemented taking into account local regulations and conditions.Hands-on training in in-situ-excision and the evaluation of the retrieved donor corneas using slit lamp- and endothelial-microscopy deepened the theory for practical implementation. RESULTS: Training materials have been loaned to the team in Malta for further training, and joint online meetings are planned for further training and sharing of difficult case reports to provide the team with appropriate assurance in all eye bank areas.Such cooperation has increased the confidence of the teams and supported the licensing inspections by competent authorities.
