Cornea<\/strong><\/a> is the transparent front surface of the eye. IT is an important optical structure through which rays of light enter the eye. Any damage or Injury to this delicate structure can lead to permanent loss of corneal transparency<\/strong> or in other words cause clouding & opaciflication<\/strong> thereby preventing the entry of light rays into the eye & diminishing vision. In case of severe degree of damage this can cause total loss of vision making the person visually handicapped due to corneal blindness. It is estimated that there are around 2 million people in India suffering from corneal blindness. Out of these, 60% of total number of corneal blindness cases include children under age 12 due to accidental or occupational injuries. Injuries contribute to major cause of permanent damage to cornea. There are other conditions also such as malnutrition, Vitamin A deficiency, infection, certain corneal diseases such as Keratoconus, Corneal degeneration, which can cause corneal blindness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Corneal transplantation<\/strong>\/Keratoplasty\/ corneal grafting is the surgical procedure done in patients suffering from corneal blindness in order to restore sight. In this surgical procedure the diseased opaque cornea is replaced by a clear healthy donor corneal tissue which restores sight by allowing the light rays to enter the eye through transplanted clear cornea. This procedure of corneal grafting is possible only on the availability of donor cornea<\/strong> by process of eye donation<\/strong>. By donating eyes after death one human being can restore sight to a blind person. This gift of sight is invaluable in these visually handicapped persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eye donation is possible only after death. It can be done by any person of any age, sex, caste, religion. People who wear glasses or have undergone an eye surgery can also donate. People of any age group can pledge to donate his\/her eyes after death. Even if one has not pledged the relative can give their consent for the donation of the eyes of the diseased.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Donate eyes to help someone in dark to see the light<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Eye Donation is the only way to give sight to more than 25 lacs blind Indians who suffer from defective cornea, Out of whom more than 60% are children below the age of 12 years. This number keeps on increasing every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eye Donation allows each and every one of us a chance to perform social good. It costs us nothing and makes no demand on our time. There is no shortage of potential donors. All that needs to be done is a timely request and quick eye collection service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our eyes, the useless commodity that we burn or bury after death, can be reacyled into the priceless gift of vision for lacs of our corneally blind fellows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In case the donated cornea is found out to be not good enough for vision. It can still be used for emergency patching up of defective corneas. This can save a patient’s eye until a healthy cornea becomes available.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eye can be donated by any person of any AGE-SEX-CASTE-RELIGION as also those who wear glasses or have undergone cataract or any other eye operations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eyes can be donated even if they have not been pledged earlier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The donor need not be taken to the eye bank. The team working for Eye Donation movement comes to receive the eyes from wherever the donor is, at no cost. The donor’s face is not disfigured because of enucleation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eye can be enucleated preferably within six to eight hours of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After enucleation the eyes are sent to the Eye Bank Co-ordination & Research Center for evaluation and further distribution. The eyes are evaluated by trained technicians as per the international standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The deserving blind patients are called in accordance with the waiting list. Even emergency cases are dealt with in conformity with the guidelines prescribed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Our eyes after our life can be useful to someone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Let your eyes change someone’s life<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> It is a wrong notion that you require a consent from signed prior to death for eye donation. We only require willingness and consent from the next of kin and relative of the deceased. If you intend to donate your eyes after death in form your wish to all your relatives and friends and family physician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> Removing eye balls is a simple procedure which takes about 20 minutes only. It does not come in the way or delay funeral preparations. Very often it happens that, family willing to donate eyes, in the wrong fear of delay in funeral’ puts off eye donation, but sparing this little time can give light to at least two blind dark lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> There is no relation between body (which is done away with) and soul (which is immortal). Donating eyes (Part of your body) will enable the blind to see and you will earn blessings from that person and God. This act has nothing to do with the lives and karma of both the donor and the recipient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> Eye balls, after removal are transported in an ‘Ice cold’ container to the nearest eye bank within 3-4 hours. Certain mandatory tests are done there. Then it can be preserved in MK medium for 4 days and in optical solution till 14 days. But since the waiting list of blind people wanting to receive cornea is many times more than the number of eye balls received the cornea is given for transplant on the same or next day. One dead person’s eye donation can give light to two lives and happiness to two families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> Eye donation has an urgency and eyeballs should better be removed within 2-3 hours after death. But with proper precautions and care (mentioned later) eye balls remain good and useable if removed as late as 6 hours. The best way is to contact eye bank personally immediately after death – Dial +91 93212 11919<\/strong><\/a> in Mumbai.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For Eye Donation – call: Special Helpline +91 93212 11919<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. : <\/strong>Removal of eyeballs does not disfigure the face of the dead body. Cotton is pushed into the empty space and a plastic cap is put below the eye lids restoring the natural look as if person is fast asleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. : <\/strong>Blood Groups of donor and recipient of eyeball need not be the same as only cornea is usually used for transplant. AIDS, Hepatitis B is checked in the blood sample collected from the donor’s body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> Persons with spectacles of cataract can also donate eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans.:<\/strong> Mainly cornea is used but in addition sclera is also used. Eyeball is also used for research and training. So no eyeballs go waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> Eye donation can be done at home. Doctor comes to the donor’s home and removes eye balls with simple procedure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> Eye donation procedure is totally Free. The donor’s Family has nothing to lose or spend. The person receiving the eye Donation also does not pay for the eye ball.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> Rejection of cornea is very rare as there is no direct blood supply to the cornea. Right medication can take care of rejection in most cases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans. :<\/strong> You can donate eyes in any eye bank may not be the same where you have pledged in your donor card.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ans.<\/strong> anybody from infant to an old man can donate eyes. Age, Cast, Religion, Blood group etc. does not come in way of eye donation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Help someone to see the world – donate eyes<\/strong><\/p>\n For Eye Donation – call : Special Helpline +91 93212 11919<\/strong><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nEye Donation: Why, How, Where, by Whom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Why Eye Donation?:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Who Can Donate?:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where can it be donated?:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Donated Eyes are Utilised:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Eye Donation: Facts and Misbeliefs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Till the Eye Donation Team Arrives:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Frequently asked Questions & their Answer<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Is it necessary to pledge before death to donate eyes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Is eye-donation a complicated and long procedure?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Does eye donation affect the rebirth life etc. ?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Are the eye balls used immediately?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Should eyes be removed within 30 minutes after death?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Does the face get disfigured after eye donation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Should the blood group of recipient and donor match?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Does cataract and wearing spectacles hinder eye donation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Is only cornea of donated eye useful?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Has the body to be taken to a hospital?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Does anyone have to spend for the eye donation.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Is the transplanted cornea rejected by the body of recipient?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Do you have to donate eyes only where you have pledged?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Que. : Who can donate the eyes?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n