Blindness is a huge problem in India. Approximately 1.1 million people in India are corneal blind. While the number of transplants carried out annually in India is just 25,000, the requirement is huge at 100,000 corneal transplants annually.

What is cornea?

The cornea is the transparent part of the eye that covers the front portion of the eye. It serves as a protective window that helps in transmitting the light into the eye. For a good vision, the cornea must remain clear.

What is Corneal blindness?

Corneal Blindness is a visual impairment caused by the clouding, scarring or any other infection of the cornea that affects the transparency of cornea, making a person blind. Some of the common causes of corneal blindness are:

• Deficiency of Vitamin A
• Eye Trauma/Injury
• Congenital Diseases
• After effects of viral, fungal, or bacterial infections

How is Corneal Blindness treated?

Corneal blindness can be treated primarily by corneal transplants. Corneal transplant is a surgical procedure in which the damaged cornea of a person is replaced by a healthy donated human cornea. The human cornea can be available through Eye Donation only.

What is an Eye Donation?

Eye donation means donating the eyes of a person after death with the family's consent.

Why should I donate my eyes?

India has a great shortage of donated eyes and the waiting queue for the procedure is very long. Eye donation from one person can give sight to two corneal blind persons. And what better than giving the gift of sight to those living in darkness after we leave?

Eye Donation Facts:

• Consent of the family is mandatory for eye donation.
• Eye donation can ONLY be done posthumously.
• Only the cornea of the donor is taken.
• The process takes only 15-20 minutes.
• The deceased’s face is not disfigured after the cornea is taken.
• The Eye Bank team that goes to collect the cornea takes full care to not disrespect the sentiments of the loved ones.
• Everyone can donate eyes except people suffering from communicable diseases like AIDS, Hepatitis, Leukaemia etc.
• At least two people's lives can be illuminated with one eye donation.
• Eye donation should take place within six hours of death.
• Eyes can be donated even if the deceased had not formally pledged their eyes during their lifetime.
• Donated eyes cannot be bought or sold.

How can I help?

Pledge your eyes: For pledging your eyes, please fill the pledge form below. After filling the form, you will receive your Donor Card from AIIMS, Rishikesh.

Spread the word: Motivate others - your friends, family, neighbours, relatives etc - to pledge and donate their eyes.

I still have some doubts in my mind....!

Should you have any queries regarding eye donation, please feel free to ask.
Call +91 135 2460 835, +91 906 856 3883