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India requires more than 100,000 corneal transplants annually but only performs a small percentage of this through donations
Eye donation is not only a virtuous act it is a legacy of sight. The next time you consider making a difference, remember committing your eyes only takes a few minutes, but its effects will last someone’s life for a lifetime in darkness.
Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness (RAAB) survey 2015-2019 by National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), Government of India concluded that the major cause of blindness in the age group of 0-49 years was corneal blindness. Today, nearly two million people live with this condition, and at least 40,000 new cases are added every year. Corneal transplantation is a boon to restore vision in these individuals. Yet the demand for donor corneas is far greater than the supply. One of the simplest and most impactful decisions each of us can make is to pledge our eyes. Unlike most fears, the procedure is fast, safe, and highly significant.
Dr Jayapratha Selvaraj, General Ophthalmology, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, Chennai shares all you need to know:
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Who can pledge?
Anybody over 18 years of age can register as an eye donor. There is no gender, caste, or religious restriction. Even those with poor vision or past cataract surgery patients can donate. Excluded are only those suffering from some infections, cancers, or diseases like HIV, hepatitis, and rabies.
How to pledge your eyes?
Giving an eye pledge is not involving complex documentation. All you need to do is:
1. Lodge an application with an eye bank – The majority of the eye hospitals are attached to an eye bank. Registering is as easy as filling in a form.
2. Fill in your details – Basic details like name, age, address, and next of kin need to be provided. Next of kin would be any authorized adult family member, friend, or legal guardian. You will then be issued a donor card.
3. Inform your family – This is the critical step. As eyes can be donated only after death, your family members need to notify the eye bank immediately (within 6–8 hours).
What to do after the demise of your loved one?
• Eye bank needs to be notified within 6-8 hours.
• Trained doctor or technician comes to your residence or the hospital.
• Detailed medical history is obtained from the relatives or the attending physician.
• Blood sample from the deceased is obtained for routine serological testing for HIV, HbsAg and Syphilis.
• Following written permission from the next of kin, the eyes are retrieved.
What does happen after donation?
Donor tissue recovered are stored in sterile media. Evaluation and grading of cornea are done at the eye bank by trained physicians and the tissue is utilized for patients who are eligible.
Why does every pledge count?
India requires more than 100,000 corneal transplants annually but only performs a small percentage of this through donations. By merely completing a form and telling your family and friends, you may be able to alter lives forever. Eye donation is not only a virtuous act it is a legacy of sight. The next time you consider making a difference, remember committing your eyes only takes a few minutes, but its effects will last someone’s life for a lifetime in darkness.
About the Author
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
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