Dr.
Chandigarh
Eye Donation
Eye donation is simple
Though all organs of the body are
equally significant, eyes can somehow be considered a little more special. It
renders us vision and lets us enjoy the aesthetics that the world has to offer.
However, due to several kinds of visual impairments, many people lose their
vision and the world turns dark to them. We can give them the gift of light by
a simple step of eye donation.
Blindness is a major cause of
concern around the world today. According to WHO, after cataract and glaucoma,
blindness is mostly caused by corneal impairments. Most of these impairments
are curable, especially through eye donation, which refers to donating one’s
eyes after death. Just like any other body organ, the cornea of the eye can
also be donated after death which will render vision to the blind. However, due
to lack of awareness, social or religious reserves, etc., eye donation is yet to
get its due importance in our country.
Donated eyes are used to restore vision in people suffering from corneal blindness. Cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. If it is impaired, vision is reduced or lost. In such cases, vision can be restored by a simple surgery called keratoplasty wherein the cornea is replaced. As of today, there is no other solution for corneal blindness than the replacement of cornea.
What is Eye Donation?
While the term “eye donation” is common, there is no whole eye transplantation. Most often only corneal tissue is recovered for transplantation.
About Cornea Donation
The cornea is the clear dome-like window covering the pupil that lets light pass through to the retina, allowing us to see. It is a contact lens-sized, clear piece of tissue which is present in front of the eye. It is practically impossible to transplant the whole eye, as nerve fibers once cut can never be reconnected.
Corneal transplantation is the most common type of eye transplant because a healthy, clear cornea is needed for good vision. A cornea that is injured or damaged by disease can become swollen or scarred which can cause blurry vision.
In corneal transplant, the damaged cornea is removed by a surgeon and replaced with a clear donor cornea. While this type of transplant is the most common related to the eye, it is not the only way people are able to regain the gift of sight through transplant.
How Cornea Donation Helps
A cornea donation can be lifesaving and life-giving. Corneal transplants successfully restore vision to recipients 95% of the time. Additionally, cornea transplants reduce pain and improve the appearance of unhealthy cornea.
While whole eye donations cannot be used for transplant, they can be used for research and education. Whole eye research has lead to advancements in the understanding of the cause and effects of conditions such as glaucoma, retinal disease, eye complications of diabetes and other sight disorders. This research can lead to new treatments and possibly cures.
Facts about Eye donation
· Willing persons may get themselves registered at an eye bank. Keep informed close relatives about your desire to donate. After their death, the eye bank must be informed and their team will come over to extract the cornea.
· Most people are potential cornea donors because age, eye color and eyesight are not factors for donation. Additionally, a cornea donor’s blood type does not have to match the recipient’s blood type. This means that everyone is a universal donor for corneal tissue!
· Anyone can be a donor irrespective of age, sex, blood group or religion.
· One donor can give vision to 2 corneal blind individuals.
· Person suffering from hypertension, diabetes can also donate eyes.
· Spectacle wearers, those suffering from diabetes, hypertension, etc, those who have undergone cataract surgery can also donate eyes.
· Eye removal takes only about 10-20 minutes and it does not delay the funeral formalities.
· Eye removal does not lead to any disfigurement of the face. In instances of eye donation, only the cornea is removed, which is then replaced by a shell so that it appears normal when the eyes are closed.
· It is essential to remove cornea from the body within 6 hours of the person’s death.
i. On death, inform eye bank immediately.
ii. Close eyes and place wet cotton over lids, Switch off the fan and put on the AC (to keep cornea moist & healthy).
· Eyes cannot be traded in any way. It is a punishable offence.
· The identities of both the donor and recipient are kept confidential and are not disclosed.
· All facilities for eye donation are provided free of cost at govt institutes and NGOs.
· Donated eyes that are not suitable for transplant may be used for medical research and education.
Who cannot donate eyes?
Eyes are not collected from donors who are infected with or died due to following conditions:
· AIDS (HIV)/ Hepatitis B or C
· Sepsis
· Certain cancers of head and neck
· Leukaemia
· Meningitis, encephalitis
· Rabies
What should be done by the relatives of deceased?
· Inform the nearest eye bank or eye collection centre within 4-6 hours of death.
· Close eyes and place wet cotton over lids, Switch off the fan and put on the AC (to keep cornea moist & healthy)
· Raise the head with a pillow. This will reduce the bleeding during removal of the eyes.
To be able to see your loved ones is the greatest blessing. Hence, why not try and pass on our God’s gift of Vision to someone who doesn’t have it?
The eyes being the most valuable part of our body, we must not let it go waste by burning them or burying them after death. Millions of Indians suffer from corneal blindness, which can be cured by corneal transplantation. Needless to say, eye donation is truly a divine deed. What can be more noble than giving someone the gift of light and let them see the world in colours? However, many misunderstandings and misbeliefs come in the way of this noble deed. Let us all pledge to eliminate the misbeliefs surrounding eye donation and raise awareness on the issue.
Two persons gain sight. 2.5 million Indians need sight.
Do not deny them life. Spread the message of eye donation.