Do you know that we can light the life of a blind person by donating our eyes after our death?

In India, we have an estimated 4.6 million people with corneal blindness that is curable through corneal transplantation, made possible by eye donation. More than 90% of the corneal transplantation is carried out successfully and helps restore vision in people with corneal blindness. Corneal transplantation in infants born with cloudy cornea can make a big difference to their lives.

What is Eye Donation?

Eye donation is an act of donating one’s eyes after his/her death. Only corneal blinds can be benefitted through this process not other Blinds. It is an act of charity, purely for the benefit of the society and is totally voluntary. It is done after death. So eye-donation should be encouraged in a large scale, as one of the best means of social service. To enable another person obtain vision is one of the best forms of charity. Even after death the donor lives in the eyes of recipient. Eyes from a dead person can enable two blind people to acquire vision.

What is the use of eyes received?

The eyes, which are received through such magnanimous gestures, are of great benefit to the society. The front, clear and transparent tissue of the eye called as cornea can be used to restore vision to corneal blind person. The other portions of the eye are also used for research and training purposes to develop cures for some of the common eye diseases.

What is Corneal Blindness?

The Cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. It is a focusing element of the eye. The Vision is dramatically reduced or lost if the cornea becomes cloudy. This loss of the vision is referred as corneal blindness.

Is there a cure for corneal blindness?

Yes. Removing the damaged cornea and replacing it with a healthy cornea by surgery can cure corneal blindness. Till date the treatment of the corneally blind people is corneal grafting. Artificial corneas have not yet been developed and hence the only source for cornea is from our fellow human beings. The first corneal transplant took place in 1905.

How can one donate eyes?

The eyes of a dead person can be used only if they are taken out within 6 hrs of death. When a person who has given consent for the donation of one’s eyes dies,

Keep the eyes of the deceased closed and covered with moist cotton.

Switch off the ceiling fan, if any, directly over the deceased person

If possible, apply antibiotic eye drops periodically in the deceased’s eyes to reduce the chance of any infection.

Raise the head of the deceased by about six inches, if possible, to reduce the chances of bleeding at the time of removal of the eyes.

After the removal of the eyes the eyelids will be stitched together and there will be no visible sign of the eyes having been removed. The entire process is completed within 10-15 mins.

After the removal of eyes, would there be any complications or disfigurement?

There are two methods adopted for removal of eyes. Some eye banks would remove the whole eyeball. In such a case there may be temporary bleeding. The team is well trained to take care of such eventualities. There would be no disfigurement. The eye bank team, after the removal of eyes would properly close the eyes so that there is no disfigurement. The second method is the removal of only the clear transparent tissue. Here also a plastic shield is placed in place of the tissue and no difference can be noticed?

Is eye donation against religious principles or traditions?

All religions endorse eye donation. There are numerous examples in our traditions and scriptures, which endorse eye and organ donation. A part of the body would be consumed by flames and reduced to ashes or which is buried and allowed to decay and disintegrate & cannot be put to a better use than restoring vision to the needy!!!

Who can donate eyes? Is there any age limit?

Any person of any age can donate eyes. Even if the deceased has medical history of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, tuberculosis etc., and even spectacle wearers and people who have undergone cataract operation can donate eyes.

Who cannot donate their eyes?

Patients suffering from Rabies, Tetanus, Aids, Jaundice, Cancer, Gangrene, Brain Tumor, Septicemia & a person who has died due to drowning etc. cannot donate their eyes.

Can the whole eye be transplanted?

No. Only the cornea and sclera can be transplanted. However, the entire eyeball is enucleated, to enable the corneo-scleral disc
to be fashioned surgically in a sterile environment.

Take a pledge to donate your eyes. Keep your vision alive even after your death. Motivate and educate others about eye donation.
In case any death incidents; motivate the next of kin of the deceased person to donate their eyes. Call your nearest eye hospital with an eye bank.