Dr. R. Townley Paton was the founder and driving force behind the first eye bank established in the United States in 1944. The Paton Society was formed in 1985 to honor him and to provide a link between the Eye Bank Association of America and corneal surgeons.

Each year the Paton Society bestows the prestigous Paton Society Award upon an ophthalmologist. The Paton Award is the EBAA's highest honor for corneal physicians, and is presented annually to an ophthalmologist in recognition of his/her outstanding contribution to the EBAA's development and for exemplifying the precepts of R. Townley Paton, M.D., the father of modern eye banking and the founder of the first eye bank established in the United States. See past awardees.

To activate your membership simply complete a Paton Society Brochure and send it the EBAA office.

Download a Paton Society brochure and registration form.

Paton Membership Renewal Form

Download a list of current Paton Society members.

Paton Awardee Lecture:
A Vision for the Future of Eye Banking - Wing Chu, MD

Benefits of Membership

• Subscription to CORNEA journal.
• Free admission to EBAA's Fall Scientific Session.
• Access to the EBAA Web site's Members Section
• Complementary CME Credits.
• Updates on legislative issues with HCFA and FDA.
• Complementary EBAA Medical Standards and Advisories.
• Annual Statistical Report on eye banking and corneal transplantation.