How many eyes are donated in India?
Dr Namrata Sharma, honorary general secretary of EBAI, who is also a professor of ophthalmology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), told TOI that cornea donation had reduced by 63%. “Between April 2019 and March 2020, that is the year before the pandemic, there were 50,953 eye donations in the country.
Who is the first eye donor in India?
Late Dr RES Muthiah started the very first eye bank in India and the first corneal transplantation took place successfully by him in India in 1948. From then on a movement started for donation of eyes.
Can you get eye donors?
The good news is that almost everyone can donate their eyes or corneas after their death. Eye donors can have any eye colour, blood type or level of eyesight. Donor age is not as important as it is for other organs or tissues – most eye donors are in their 70s.
What is the cost of eye transplant in India?
Now, the cost of corneal transplant surgery ranges between Rs 50,000 and Rs 1 lakh, and is done at private sector hospitals only. With the launch of the eye bank, the health department will make corneal transplant facility available to poor patients free of cost.
How can I donate my eyes online in India?
For eye donation, you are required to fill the pledge form and send it to any of the nearest eye bank. Once you are registered as an eye donor you will be provided an Eye Donor Card. To see a specimen pledge form, please Click here.
What is the cost of eye transplant?
“The cost of corneal transplant in India starts from $1500 (INR 111,000) per eye. The cornea transplant hospitals in India promise unparalleled health treatments at low-cost packages.
Do eye transplants cure blindness?
There is no such thing as a whole-eye transplant. The optic nerve, which goes directly to the brain, cannot be transplanted; and this nerve is damaged for many people who are blind. The eye transplant would not work without also transplanting the optic nerve.
Can a damaged retina be replaced?
Is Retinal Repair Possible? Yes, in many cases an eye doctor can repair a damaged retina. While a patient may not experience completely restored vision, retinal repair can prevent further vision loss and stabilize vision. It’s important that patients get treatment for their damaged retinas as soon as possible.
Is there any age limit for donating eyes?
There is no age-limit for donating the eye. All one needs to do is bequeath his or her eyes by taking a simple pledge to donate the eyes after death.
How many times can eyes be donated?
Eyes can be donated only after death. Eyes must be removed within 4 – 6 hours after death. Eyes can be removed by a registered medical practitioner only.
Is retina replacement possible in India?
An Indian scientist, along with his US colleagues, has developed a device to restore the sight of people who go blind due to conditions such as retinitis pigmentosa and age-related macular degeneration. The device, called a bionic eye or retinal implant, has been co-invented by Dr Rajat N.
Where can I Donate my Eye in India?
• VisionMate Foundation has contact information of Eye Banks located across India, which makes it possible to coordinate with the nearest eye bank for a person to reach in case of eye donation.
What are the salient features of the eye donation site?
Some of the salient features of the Eye Donation site are: • VisionMate Foundation acts as a One Point Contact for the eye donations across India, which otherwise had no organized process for the social cause.
Why don’t more Indians donate their eyes in India?
He also pointed out that while most people in India are aware of eye donation, they don’t know the exact procedure to go about it. There is a severe lack of motivation and cultural stigmas prevent many from even making an attempt.
What is eye donation fortnight?
Late (Former) Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi & his family pledged their eyes and the occasion is observed as Eye Donation Fortnight between August 25th and September 8th, September 8th being Eye Donation. We should come forward to donate our eyes.