We established the laboratory procedures for preparation of DSEK tissue and were the first to deliver prepared corneal tissue. Since then, we have delivered more prepared corneal tissue for DSEK than any other organization. We are proud of our contributions to better patient outcomes. Today we continue to work closely with surgeons to develop new tools and processes to help them perform their work more effectively and efficiently. OSI offers services in the following areas:

Endothelial Keratoplasty
Ocular Systems prepares donor corneal tissue for endothelial keratoplasty (EK). EK is a promising new surgical technique that removes descemets and endothelium from the host cornea and replaces it with a donor graft containing posterior stroma, descemets membrane, and a high-density endothelium. EK helps restore vision to patients whose endothelial function is compromised from disease or age.

Endothelial Failure
In many cases, poor vision is the result of only a poorly functioning endothelium; the rest of the cornea is healthy and does not need replacing. OSI prepares tissue obtained from accredited eye banks in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures developed by OSI, in conformance with applicable governmental and FDA laws and regulations relating to the procurement, storage, processing and distribution of human tissue. OSI prepares tissue according to Good Tissue Practices (GTPs) in a dedicated clean room.

Penetrating Keratoplasty Services
OSI works with eye banks to obtain high quality tissue for penetrating keratoplasty.
For ophthalmologists requesting that OSI perform this service, we will acquire information about transplant needs and coordinate the placement of tissue from source eye banks. We communicate with surgeons to determine in advance their tissue needs for scheduled surgeries and respond to emergent requests by providing 24-hour coordination services. This includes working with the physician’s preferred eye bank. The OSI team is well versed in penetrating and lamellar keratoplasty procedures and techniques and the tissue requirements needed to perform them. Donor tissue is obtained from eye banks accredited by the Eye Bank Association of America and registered with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. As a matter of policy, OSI first tries to work with the physician’s preferred eye bank to obtain tissue, or as an alternate, the nearest eye bank servicing physicians in that community.

Corneal Tissue Reimbursement Consulting

Ocular Systems is pleased to provide its customers with reimbursement consulting to help guide you in billing corneal tissue to your local Medicare carrier and other commercial insurance carriers. Reimbursement for the acquisition of tissue used during keratoplasty procedures is a major concern for providers, patients, the physician community and medical technology innovators.

OSI customers receive reimbursement consultation services free of charge. This service is provided by Ocular Systems in collaboration NMD HealthCare Consulting, and is designed to ensure that proper, timely reimbursement is received.

NMD is fully prepared to receive and respond to all of OSI customers’ coding, coverage and reimbursement inquiries. Click here to download a brochure to learn more about the Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS).

OSI customers may access reimbursement information by contacting NMD Healthcare directly by phone at: NMD offices (609) 584-8470. You may also contact NMD by email at: support@nmdhealthcare.com.

Notice
OSI does not screen, procure, evaluate or test penetrating keratoplasty tissue. Its function is to maintain and share information about tissue demand and supply in order to provide surgeons the opportunity to maximize patient care and visual outcomes. Though based in North Carolina, OSI works with eye banks and surgeons both in the United States and internationally.