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| About Eye Bank |
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Corneal blindness is one of the most common forms of blindness. The only known cure for corneal blindness is corneal transplantation, using healthy corneas donated by individuals after death. The demand for donor corneas far exceeds the current supply and an active eye banking movement is the only way, to address the problem.
There are currently an estimated 15 million blind people in India. 6.8 million people out of these suffer from corneal blindness with vision less than 6/60 in at least one eye, and of these, about 1 million have bilateral corneal blindness. If the present trend continues, it is expected that the number of corneally blind individuals in India will increase to 10.6 million by 2020.
Of these at least 3 million can be benefited by corneal transplantation. Thus, to effectively meet the ever growing demand, we need around 1,50,000 corneal transplants to be performed every year.
Laxmi Eye Bank is established even before the trust has started its activities, way back in 1996 and still the only eye bank in whole of Konkan region. Conducting lectures and public awareness programmes emphasising the importance of eye donation is a regular activity of the eye bank. More than 600 corneal transplants have been performed till March 2012.
FAQ's
- Cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye.
- If the cornea becomes cloudy because of any disease, injury, infection or poor nutrition, vision is dramatically reduced or lost.
- Corneal blindness can be treated by replacing the damaged cornea by a healthy donated human cornea. The human cornea can be procured through Eye Donation only.
- Corneal blindness affects mainly children and young adults who have a long life ahead of them.
- Though we have trained, highly qualified surgeons and hospital facilities to do the transplant, we do not have enough eye tissues to do the surgery.
- Approximately 11 lakh blind population of our country are waiting for corneal transplantation and approximately 25,000 new cases are being reported.
- One eye donation can give sight to two corneally blind persons.
- Eyes should be donated within 6-8 hrs of death.
- Anyone can be a donor, irrespective of age, sex, blood group or religion.
- Anyone with cataract or spectacles can donate eyes.
- Persons suffering from hypertension, diabetes can also donate eyes.
- Total procedure takes 15-20 minutes. There is no disfigurement of the face of the donor. About 10 CC blood of the donor is also collected for testing.
- Eyes can be donated even if the deceased had not formally pledged his/her eyes during his/her lifetime.
- Eye Bank team will rush over to the donor's home or any other place where the body is available after death. This is a free service in public interest.
- After pledging please inform your family about your wish to donate eyes, so that they can fulfill your wish.
To donate eyes, the relatives of the deceased should do the following procedures
- Close the eyelids of the deceased.
- Switch off the fan.
- Raise the head of the deceased slightly by placing a pillow underneath.
- Contact the Eye Bank as quickly as possible.
- Give the correct address with specific landmarks and telephone number to enable the eye bank team locate the place easily.
- If the death certificate from the physician is available, keep it ready.
- Eye donation can be done only with the written consent of the next of kin in the presence of two witnesses.
Pledge online (Scan QR code and fill the google form.)
Pledge Form
To become a donor, you have to fill the pledge form and send it to Laxmi Charitable Trust. Pledging is only to create an awareness. The eye bank also issues a wallet donor card which you can carry on you. Also, let your family members know that you wish to be a eye donor. Prior registration is not mandatory for eye donation. Your next kin can give voluntary consent in absence of prior pledge by donor.
 
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