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Healthy Eye Initiative Facts About Eye Donation
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Eye Donation - What is it ?

Fortunately, through the medical miracle of
Corneal Transplantation sight restoration is possible.

Cornea transplant can restore vision

The intensity of eye donation varies from religion to religion. Jains and Buddhists practice it rigorously. Other religious leaders are not only endorsing eye donation, but preaching to their devotees.

Eye donation is considered a noble act by all religions

What is Corneal Blindness?

The Cornea, which is the clear surface at the front of the eye,

is the main focusing element of the eye.

If the Cornea becomes cloudy or scarred vision can be markedly reduced or lost.

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Main causes of Corneal Blindness

Injuries

Congenital Disorders

Infections

Chemical Burns

Malnutrition

You can make a difference. Let Eye Donation be your family tradition [Back To Top]
Anyone of any age can donate eyes.	Patients who have undergone cataract surgery can also donate eyes.
Spectacle wearers, diabetics, hypertensive and people suffering from systemic disorders like Asthma, Tuberculosis ... can also donate eyes. [Back To Top]
Your pledge to donate eyes to the Rotary Eye Bank is sufficient to donate eyes to any Eye Bank in India.	Eye donation gives sight to two corneally blind persons. Eyes are never removed from a living person.
Eyes have to be removed within 6-8 hours of death. So, let no time be lost in informing the nearest eye bank.	You could instrumental in getting an eye donation. If there is a death in your family, remember to call the nearest eye bank. This can be done irrespective of whether your family member has pledged his eyes or not.
Get the vital death certificate from your family Physician or a Physician nearby.	Switch off fans ( keep A/C On ) and place wet cotton/cloth over the closed eyelids. It will keep the eye balls moist. Raise head with a pillow.
If there is a death in your friends circle, either motivate the family or call the counselor of the nearest eye bank. [Back To Top]
The donor need not be taken to the eye bank. The eye bank team will come to take the eyes wherever the donor is, at no cost.	The eye bank team carefully removes the eyes without disfiguring the face.
10 cc of blood sample is collected from the donor's body for testing.	The eyes will be safely transported to the eye bank.
The eyes will be evaluated by trained eye bank staff.	The cornea is used for transplantation to the patient's eye by a trained corneal surgeon.
Eye bank are non-profit organizations and the retrieved cornea are supplied to qualified Corneal Surgeons.	The patients are called strictly in accordance with the waiting list. Emergency cases are dealt with in conformity of guidelines.
Cornea can not be used for Transplantation if the patients are identified with AIDS, Hepatitis B, C, Rabies, Septicemia, active Leukemia and any other infectious disease.
Money can't buy eyes. It is a gift only you can give, the gift of sight. [Back To Top]

Information Courtesy:
These facts have been reproduced from the booklet jointly printed as part of the National Programme for Control of Blindness by the: Eye Bank Association of India and Directorate General of Healthy Services, Ophthalmology / Blindness Control Section (EC Unit)