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In 1989, TBI extended its outreach globally with the founding of the International Federation of Eye and Tissue Banks (IFETB), a program designed to address the issue of corneal blindness worldwide. Corneal blindness is a major health problem in many countries outside of the U.S. In fact, 25% of all blindness is due to corneal disease, defects or trauma. Waiting lists for corneal transplants exist even in developed countries. In developing countries, millions remain blind due to lack of surgical quality corneas. The social and economic impact from this situation is profound.

The International Federation of Eye and Tissue Banks reduces corneal blindness by working in areas of the world where no effective eye or tissue banking program exists. It establishes and maintains a federation of transplant banks in cooperation with local resources. It helps distribute donor tissue for transplantation on an equitable basis without regard to race, religion, nationality or institution.

In some cases, IFETB builds transplant banks from the ground up. In other cases, it works with existing transplant banks to improve their programs. It trains personnel. It monitors medical standards, and the safety and quality of tissue and facilities. It helps distribute tissue. It serves as a conduit for information.

IFETB accredited eye banks reported 4,552 surgical quality corneas distributed for transplant in 1998. Last year, the IFETB welcomed its first tissue bank to the Federation. Since its establishment, the International Federation of Eye and Tissue Banks has returned thousands of men, women and children to fully productive lives.