Every year from 25th August to 8th September, National Eye Donation Fortnight is observed. The objective is to raise awareness amongst the public about the importance of eye donation and to motivate them to come forward and pledge their eyes for donation after their demise.
Corneal diseases are one of the major causes of vision loss and blindness, after cataract and glaucoma, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO). This is where your donated eyes can offer a vision to those who are deprived of it. In India, around 3 million people, the majority of which are children under the age of 12 years, can get their vision back with your one simple donation.
Who can donate their eyes?
- People of all the ages, gender, race, blood group or religion
- People who wear spectacles or lenses for either short or long-sightedness, or even those who have gotten their eyes operated
- Those suffering from diabetes, hypertension, asthma and those without any communicable diseases
Who cannot donate their eyes?
- People who were infected with or died from AIDS, Hepatitis B or C, rabies, cholera, tetanus, acute leukemia, septicemia, meningitis, or encephalitis.
How is it done?
- You can pledge your eyes by filling up a form, available in all major hospitals and eye banks. You can also register online for the same. Visit the link below
https://www.ebai.org/donator-registration/
Do it with the consent of your family, because they are the ones who will have to inform the authorities. If you pledge, an individual Eye Donor Card will be provided to you.
- Even if the deceased did not formally pledge for it, a family member can volunteer and request for the same after his/her death.
- After the demise of the person, the donor’s family needs to inform the nearest and authorized eye bank immediately. You can also call a toll-free number 1919, available 24*7 across all states of India.
- Close the eyes of the deceased and switch off the fans and keep the air conditioner or cooler on.
- Raise their head with the help of a pillow and place a wet cotton swab or cloth on his/her eyes.
- Eyes must be removed within 6-8 hours of the death of the donor
- This process can be carried out at home or in the hospital.
- The process is carried out by a trained doctor and the removal process takes 10-15 minutes only
- It is only the cornea that is removed and not the whole eyeball. Therefore, there is no disfigurement of the face.
- The identities of both the donor and their family remain confidential
- There is no money or fees involved in the donation process, whatsoever.
- Once the eyes are donated, agencies look for relevant matches (people who need it) and the process of transplantation is then carried out, where the receiver undergoes surgery to get his/her vision back.
There are many Myths related to Eye Donation and certain superstitions, but one must always be aware of the facts. With your one pair of eyes, you can give vision to two corneal blind people. Therefore, don’t let the myths mislead you, go with the facts. When your eyes won’t mean anything to you, someone else will be able to praise this beautiful world with their eyes. Pledge now for this noble cause and do your bit for humanity!
