Eye donation means donating the eyes of a person after death with the consent of  the family. People blind due to corneal disease can benefit through this process. It is an act of great charity. The ‘Cornea’ is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. It is a focusing element of the eye. The vision is drastically reduced or lost if the cornea becomes cloudy. This loss of  vision is referred to as corneal blindness. Eye infections, eye injuries, poor nutrition especially in childhood, and some congenital /hereditary diseases can make the cornea cloudy and  cause corneal blindness.

The eyes, which are received through donation are of great benefit to the society. Removing the damaged cornea and replacing it with a healthy donor cornea by surgery can cure corneal blindness. Whole eye of the donor is not transplanted. Only the cornea is transplanted.

The eyes, which are received through such magnanimous gestures, are of great benefit to the society. Removing the damaged cornea and replacing it with a healthy donor cornea by surgery can cure corneal blindness. Whole eye of the donor is not transplanted. Only the cornea is transplanted. However, the rest of the eye is used for research and education purpose.

There are approximately  6.8 million people suffering from corneal blindness in India. Majority are children and young adults. Unfortunately, there is a huge discrepancy between number of eyes required for cornea transplantation and the number of eyes retrieved by eye donation.  Current requirement in India  is  150,000 corneas  whereas number of eyes collected is only 33,000 (as in  year 2009). So, there is a  great need for people coming forward for eye donation and contributing to this noble cause.

To donate  eyes of the departed relatives, contact the nearest Eye Bank. Eyes have to be removed within 6 hours of death. Removal of eyes by the trained Eye Bank person takes 15-20 minutes. It is done right at the place where the body is, at any time of the day or night, without disfiguring the face or any expense to the donor family.However,10ml of deceased’s  blood  is collected for the required tests. The retrieved tissues are  taken to the Eye bank and are then examined, processed and used for corneal transplant surgery as early as possible. The donor cornea is examined thoroughly by slit lamp examination and specular microscopy.

You can pledge for eye donation during your lifetime but actual donation occurs only after death. Only those of legal age (+ 18 years) can enroll as Eye donors by submitting one completed  pledge form, although age is no bar to donate eyes of the departed.

This selfless gift of sight comes at the greatest of sacrifices, the loss of a loved one. On the other side of donation are the recipients, those whose life is changed for the better due to the generosity of a stranger.

The death of a loved one is understandably a very difficult time for the family.  Contacting  the eye bank would seem like an unnecessary burden at such a difficult time.  But family members who go though the donation often tell us that the act of giving somewhat soothes the pain of the loss. Many see the donation as a bridge between life and death.  We often hear that focusing on the recipients, those whose life is forever changed after the donation makes it easier for family-members. It is also an emotional issue for us.  It is very gratifying to talk to people whose lives are so much better because of the generosity of a stranger.

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Anyone can be an Eye Donor

• Irrespective of age, sex, blood group, religion
• Spectacle users and those who have undergone cataract surgery can also donate eyes
• People blind due to retinal or optic nerve disease  can donate eyes provided the cornea is clear.
• People suffering from diabetes and hypertension can also donate eyes
• Immediate family members or relatives can donate eyes of the deceased even if the deceased had not pledged for eye donation during their lifetime.

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To donate eyes of the departed, the relatives are required to do the following-

• Contact the nearest Eye bank as quickly as possible.
• Close the eyelids of the deceased.
• Switch off the fan, however, keep the AC/Cooler running.
• Place wet cotton over closed eyelids and raise head of the deceased with the help of the pillow till the Eye bank team arrives.
• Eye Donation can be done only with the written consent of the next of kin in the presence of two witnesses.

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Myths about eye donation-

• Eye donation leaves holes in the place of eyes.
• Eye donation causes people  to be born without eyes in the next birth

For any queries and pledge forms, contact Max Eye Care