Eradication of Corneal Blindness in India unfortunately, is yet to receive the kind of priority it deserves. An estimated 4.6 million blind people from this group (among them 60% children) who have excellent chances to regain vision by undergoing Cornea Transplantation are still in darkness; the reason ‘acute shortage of eye donation’& it’s a matter of serious concern. Unlike other surgeries, this surgery depends entirely on the availability of eye donation as this malady cannot be treated either by medicines or animal corneas. The gift of vision to these unfortunate millions therefore has to come from fellow human beings.

Reasons for scarcity of corneal donation being poor awareness among people, myths and misconceptions coupled with paucity of eye bank services in rural areas. In addition to this eye banking specialization is not a lucrative business its only reward being a smile on the face of the beneficiary.

What is Cornea Grafting?

Cornea is the front most transparent part of our eye like the glass on our wrist watch which becomes scary or opaque due to viral diseases, Vitamin A deficiency, injury, infection etc., and as a result of which the person loses his/her  vision. In Cornea Grafting surgery the defective cornea alone (not the eye ball) is removed and in its place a healthy and clear cornea of the donor eye (collected within 6 hours of death of the donor) is replaced. The result is truly a miracle! The patient regains vision the very next day and a new beginning.

What is an eye bank?

It is a nonprofit, 24 hours free emergency medical service which collects and distributes eyes to the needy surgeons to facilitate cornea transplants to their patients. Eye collection, a 20 minutes procedure, will be conducted free day or night right at the place where ever the donor body is available, in residence, hospital, mortuary etc. There will be no bleeding - no bandage - no disfiguration of the face. The entire service is charity based and involves huge expenditure which has to be generated from public donations alone.

Procedure to donate eyes:

• Note down the time of death, as eyes have to be collected within 6 hours of death.
• Close the eyes of the departed and place an ice pack or at least a wet cloth on the fore head.
• Switch off the fan in that room and keep the medical records ready for scrutiny of the eye bank doctor. Immediately inform the local or the nearest eye bank (24 hours service).
• Donor blood sample/s will be collected for medical purpose, no blood group matching is necessary.

Who can donate eyes?

Donation of the eye/s is only after the death of the donor. Age, wearing glasses, Diabetes, Hypertension and any other diseases of the departed are not a consideration.  The only condition is that the Corneas must be clear and healthy. Previous registration is not a must.

Living persons above 18 years can pledge their eyes (for donation) in any eye bank and can receive an eye pledge card free.

To conclude Corneal Blindness, a dreaded enemy of man kind can be wiped out from India in few years, if a concerted effort is made as over 9 million deaths occur annually. Any delay or apathy on our part may deny the unfortunate ones the chance of a vision and push them into blindness of a life time. If the spirit of service beckons you, register your eye pledge today. Spread the noble message of eye donation. Go ahead and make a request for eye donation of the departed with the bereaved and support the local eye bank.

The message is clear- Do not burn or bury the precious eyes- donate them so that the deprived can see.

 Mysore Eye Bank and Research centre.