We live in a country that shoulders the largest burden of global blindness. There are 45 million people in the world who are blind, of which as many as 15 million are Indian. Three times that number suffers from a significant impairment of vision that threatens their ability to be physically or financially self-sufficient. The cumulative loss to the country’s GNP is estimated to be to the tune of US $11.1 billion (Shammana et al 1998). The total population of our country is 1.08 billion, out of the same 52 million are having mild visual problems, including 3,20,000 children. If we look at the root cause of the blindness, we may be surprised to hear that 66% of the causes are either preventable or curable. While the problem is formidable, the need to take up the challenge of curtailing it is compelling.
An eye bank is an organisation, which obtains, evaluates and distributes eyes from humanitarian-minded citizens for use in corneal transplantation, research and education. To ensure patient safety, the donated eyes are evaluated under strict medical standards. All donated eyes are not suitable for corneal transplantation and are used for valuable research and education.
Donated human eyes are necessary in preservation and restoration of sight through corneal transplantation, research and education. More than 90% corneal transplant operation successfully restores vision in people suffering from blindness due to corneal problems. Infants born with cloudy corneas have an opportunity to see following corneal transplantation.
The cornea is the clear, transparent dome in front of the "black portion" of the eye. It is also the main focussing surface, which converges light rays as they enter the eye to focus on the retina. It is thus the most important part of the optical apparatus of the Eye. Loss of transparency directly results in loss of vision. A Corneal transplant is an operation which replaces the opaque cornea with a clear cornea obtained from a human donor. A cornea becomes opaque due to infection, injuries, Iatrogenic (malpractice, improper post-op. care after any eye surgery), malnutrition and congenital/hereditary.
Magnitude of the problem in India is as high as 1/4th of the world’s blind are in India, 27 million have moderate sight impairment, 9 million are bilateral blind and 3,20,000 children are blind. No of Corneal Blinds in India is 4.6 Million and out of 4.6 Million 90% are below the age of 45 years including 60% below the age of 12 years. Out of the 4.6 Million, at least 3 Million can benefit by Corneal transplantation.
Anybody from the age of 1 year can be an eye donor. There is no maximum age limit. Poor eye sight and age make no difference. One can bequeath his eyes by taking a pledge while he is alive. He resolves to donate his eyes after his death. This by itself is a noble act but it requires relatives or friends to carry out his pledge, his desire, after his death. People wearing spectacles, persons who had cataract surgery, diabetics and hypertensives can also donate eyes. The ultimate decision about usage for transplantation will be made after evaluation.
Dedicated special phone numbers 28281919 and 28271616 are available for 24 hours service of eye donation. Family members of the deceased persons are authorized to donate the eyes of their beloved relatives and the eyes need to be collected within 6 hours of death.
People can help this noble cause by consenting to donate eyes of close relatives or friends and by motivating family members of the person who has died. Manager – Medical Sociology and Head – Eye Bank of Sankara Nethralaya will come and deliver a lecture in Tamil or English with interactive sessions to create awareness in any area, office or club etc.
Report by A P Irungovel, Manager - Medical Sociology and HOD - Eye Bank, Sankara Nethralaya
Contact Sankara Nethralaya,
Phone : 91 44 28226694
Mobile : 98408 21919
Hot Line for Eye Donation in Chennai : 2828 1919
E- mail: api@snmail.org
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