A clearer future for cornea transplant patients

Name: Flinders Foundation
Address: 3 Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, South Australia, 5042, AU
Telephone: (08) 8204 5216
Price range: $

Posted 10 Sept 2026

Eye Health

Based at Flinders Medical Centre, the Eye Bank of South Australia retrieves and prepares donated corneal tissue for transplant, restoring sight for hundreds of South Australians each year.

Preparing tissue for transplant is precise, delicate work. Now a new piece of technology called the Moria, funded by Flinders Foundation supporters and community fundraisers through the Biomedical Equipment Grant Round, is helping the Eye Bank restore sight for more people.

A new level of precision resulting in more transplants

As surgical techniques for corneal transplants become more advanced and less invasive, so does the demand for more precise tissue preparation and equipment that helps the Eye Bank team consistently deliver it.

Even with careful preparation, tissue can fall outside the parameters needed for transplant, meaning donor tissue can't be used. The impact of that reaches far beyond the lab.

The Moria is a precision cutting system that prepares corneal tissue for transplant, cutting tissue to margins as fine as 0.8 of a millimetre, finer than a strand of hair, meaning less variability and less waste of donor tissue.

"It cuts beautifully," said Di, Statewide Manager at the Eye Bank of South Australia.

"The disposable heads are very precise, so we're unlikely to waste much tissue at all. We're hoping we can be self-sufficient, and more importantly, we don't waste any tissue that someone's loved one has given."

Since installing the machine, the Eye Bank of South Australia has already seen transplant numbers grow significantly, while relying less on interstate services and ensuring that donated tissue goes on to change lives.

Funded by community, made possible by generosity

The Moria was funded through the Biomedical Equipment Grant Round, but with the machine costing more than what was available, it was community fundraising that helped secure the machine, giving hope to people waiting to have their vision restored.

That's where Bruno comes in.

Bruno received a corneal transplant at 19. Years on, he's turned that experience into action, rallying friends, work colleagues and business partners to raise funds in support of Flinders Foundation.

Funds that directly contributed toward the Moria.

"The generosity of friends and work colleagues and business partners, it was way out there. It was a great feeling" said Bruno, cornea transplant recipient and Flinders Foundation fundraiser.

Reflecting on his own experience and why he chose to give back, Bruno put it simply.

"A lot of people take their vision for granted. It's very, very precious."

Giving the gift of sight

This is just one example of what your generosity can make possible—helping more donated tissue reach the people who need it most, giving more South Australians the gift of sight.