Eye Donation - Jharkhand Eye Bank Hospital & Research Center

New Eyes for the Blind -

Donate Your Eyes Today!

We Care. We give new eyes and new life to blind people with your donated eyes.

A large number of people dwell in a world of darkness and the only cure for this is corneal transplant, that is new eyes. Eye donation awareness camps are organized to increase awareness regarding the need for eye donation in this region. The hospital has collected eyes and transplanted them successfully since 2001. As eye donation is poor in Jharkhand, and underprivileged persons cannot afford to go to far off hospitals, transplants have been done in Ranchi with corneas from other eye banks since 2013.

Eyes are our windows to the world. Without them we cannot see the beauty of the world and the people around us. Some people lose their sight either partially or wholly and can be helped by eye transplant.

Why is Eye Donation Important?

In 2020 the world has 37 million blind people. India has the largest number with 15 million. Out of these 3 million people suffer from corneal blindness. Unfortunately, 26% of these are children. Cataract and glaucoma are the major causes of blindness and corneal blindness comes next. At this time it is estimated that in India we need at least 200,000 corneas per year but in the last year, 2019-2020, only 65,000 corneas were collected and out of these only about 50% were fit to transplant. So there is a big gap between demand and supply.

What are the Benefits of Eye Donation?

The donated eyes can be used to restore vision in people who are suffering from corneal blindness. Every part of the donated eyes is important. The front, clear and transparent part of the eye also known as cornea can be used to restore the eyesight of people. Some of the parts are used for research purposes to find a cure for many eye diseases.

Remember if you are donating your eyes, it can only be taken from you after your death. It is an act of charity, for the benefit of the society.

Facts on Eye Donation

Eyes cannot be bought or sold. You can leave a priceless gift for some blind persons when you die. Anyone can pledge his eyes during his life time but eyes cannot be taken from a living person.
A death certificate must be shown before eyes can be removed.

What is Eye Donation?

Eye donation means that when a man dies, his eyes may be donated for the treatment of others or for research.
The whole eye is not transplanted. Only the cornea is taken from the dead and transplanted on the living after the diseased cornea is removed.
Anyone may pledge his eyes but eyes may be removed only after death.
The heir can donate the eyes of the dead man even if he has not made a wish in this regard.
Without the wish of the heir, eyes cannot be removed from the dead.

Why is Eye Donation Necessary?

Eye donation is necessary because there are a large number of blind people or near blind people whose sight can be restored if eyes are transplanted from the dead.
The work of collecting the eyes and transplanting them is done at Jharkhand Eye Bank, Hospital and Research Centre. The work is called corneal transplant (keratoplasty) because only the cornea from the dead man is transplanted on the living.
The cornea is the transparent covering over what looks like the black part of the eye.
The cornea can get damaged by illness, injury or bad diet. This part of the eye can be changed like you can change a badly scratched or broken glass on your watch. If the glass is changed, you can see your watch clearly but this will not repair your watch if it is faulty. Similarly, corneal blindness can be cured by transplant but if the inside of the eye like the retina or the optic nerve is damaged, the transplant will not help.
The Eye Bank Association of India regulates activities of eye banks in India. The number of eye donations is far below the number required to help the blind people in our country which has a high percentage of blindness. These blind people could lead productive lives if people come forward to donate their sight after death. One man can bring light to two lives.

What is Cornea?

Cornea is the transparent layer over the iris. It is the main focusing element and when it becomes cloudy or scarred, corneal blindness occurs. Corneal degeneration may be due to malnutrition, injury, infection, or post-operative damage. No disfigurement is caused to the dead body. The person seems asleep.

Whose Eyes Cannot be Donated?

Eyes cannot be donated of people who die of AIDS,
Hepatitis B or C,
Rabies, Snake bite
Septicemia,
Active leukaemia

Whose Eyes Can be Donated?

Eyes can be donated at any age.
People wearing glasses can donate.
People suffering from cancer, tuberculosis, asthma, diabetes, blood pressure etc. can donate.
People who have had cataract operation can donate.
Eyes can be donated only after death.
Eyes must be removed within 6 hours after death.

Important Points

To donate eyes, the relatives of the deceased should do the following procedures:

Close the eyelids of the deceased.
Put some wet cotton or ice in plastic on the eyes to keep them moist.
Switch off the fan but leave the AC on if it is running.
Keep the death certificate from the physician ready as it is necessary for eye removal.
Eye donation can be done only with the written consent of the next of kin in the presence of two witnesses.
Raise the head of the deceased slightly by placing a pillow underneath.
Contact the nearest eye bank as quickly as possible.
The eye bank team will remove the eyes from the home of the deceased or from a hospital.
Eye removal does not delay the funeral since the entire procedure takes 20-30 minutes only.
A small quantity of blood will be drawn to rule out communicable diseases.
Eye collection leaves the face looking natural, as if the person is asleep.
The identities of both the donor and the recipient are kept confidential.

When You Phone the Eye Bank or Doctor, Tell Them:

Name of the patient.
Age.
Cause of death.
Time of death.
Name of the person calling and his relationship and his telephone number.
Give the correct address with specific landmarks to enable the eye bank team locate the place easily.

When the Medical Team Comes:

The heir should sign a consent form.
Give the medical team 20 minutes alone to do their work and take a sample of blood.
A copy of the death certificate must be given.