EYE DONATION – Myths and Misconception

“Eyes are a precious gift to mankind. A wise man utilizes the gift while alive, and after death too …”

“Eyes are a precious gift to mankind. A wise man utilizes the gift while alive, and after death too …”

EYE DONATION – Myths and Misconception

There are lots of myths and misconceptions regarding eye donation. It is due to lack of awareness. Anyone can donate their eyes : even if he or she is wearing spectacles or have previously undergone eye surgery. People with diabetes, hypertension and other systemic disorders like asthma, tuberculosis, heart disease and even those with damaged retina or optic nerve can donate their eyes.
 Why donate?

• only a human donor cornea can alleviate another person’s corneal blindness.
• Eye donation is an opportunity to help save a life or restore someone’s sight. Eye, organ, and tissue donation are consistent with the beliefs and attitudes of all major religions.
• The great thing about corneal tissue is that everyone is a universal donor. Your blood type doesn’t have to match. It doesn’t matter how old you are, what color your eyes are or how good your eyesight is.
• There are about 1.1 million corneally blind persons in the country. Another 25,000 are added each year. Eye donation in India today meets less than five percent of the demand for corneal transplants.

What causes corneal blindness?

The cornea can get damaged through accidents. Children, while playing with sharp objects (e.g. bows and arrows ,pen, pencil, etc.) can accidentally damage their cornea. Corneal blindness can also happen to elders. Some of the industrial causes are chemical bums, flying debris or road accidents. The cornea can get damaged due to infections and malnutrition as well.

Is there a cure for corneal blindness?

Yes. Removing the damaged cornea and replacing it with a healthy cornea by surgery can cure corneal blindness. Till date the treatment of the corneally blind people is corneal grafting. Artificial corneas have not yet been developed and hence the only source for cornea is from our fellow human beings.The first corneal transplant took place in 1905.

What is the source for the cornea?

Fortunately, cornea can be removed from a deceased person within six hours of death and can be used for surgery. Artificial cornea has not yet been developed nor is there any other objective. The eyes, which would ultimately be consigned to flames, or buried along with the body, can restore sight to two or moer needy people.

Facts about eye donation

• Eyes should be donated within 6-8 hrs. of death.
• Anyone can be a donor, irrespective of age, sex, blood group or religion.
• One cornea is grafted to one person.
• Total removal time is  about 15-20 minutes.
• Spectacle wearers, hypertensive and diabetics can also donate.
• There is no disfigurement of the donor’s face.
• Total procedure takes 15-20 minutes.
• Eyes can be donated even if the deceased had not formally
• pledged their eyes during their lifetime.
• The eye bank team will immediately reach the donor’s home to collect the eyes. This service is free.
• Eyes are never bought or sold.
• All religions endorse eye donation.

Myths about eye donation

Face/ Body will be disfigured.
Will be born blind in next birth.
Will not be able to see GOD.

Important points

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 nearest 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

Conclusions

Pledge to donate your eyes. Make it a family tradition
Motivate and educate others about eye donation
Motivate the next of kin of the deceased person to donate their eyes.

mail: messagengo@gmail.com

“Eyes are a precious gift to mankind. A wise man utilizes the gift while alive, and after death too …”

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Human chain for Eye Donation awareness Campaign

The Rally and Human chain organized by TEAM EYE – Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan and  Prabha Khaitan Foundation supported by MESSAGE Institution and  on October 11th 2012 at 5.30 Pm. “In order to raise awareness for eye donation, a massive silent human chain will be formed at the Albert Hall on October 11 on World Sight Day.

 Thousands of students from schools and colleges, like Maharani’s College, Pearl Academy, Subodh, IIS, JECRC, IIPM, SKIT, VIT, GIT will form a human chain from 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm at Albert Hall, Mehta said. Princess Diya Kumari, EBSR ambassador, appealed to the people to take part in the rally in a big way. Coordinator (human chain) Ravi Kamra said, “When we started the bank (EBSR) in 2002, we were zero. In last 10 years, we have reached 800 eye donations.”

For Detail Contact us

Eye Bank Society Of Rajasthan
429, Adarsh Nagar, Bees Dukan,
Near Geeta Bhawan,
Jaipur; 302004;Rajasthan, India.

Email Address: ebsr_jp@hotmail.com

Mr. Ravi Kamara – 09214442233, 982905005

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Mail us:- messagengo@gmail.com

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Eye Donation Gallery

Eye Donation Event Gallery
Awareness for eye donation, a massive silent human chain will be formed at the Albert Hall on October 11 on World Sight Day.
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DRISHTI-Hope For Visually Impaired
A campaign launched by ‘MESSAGE’ on 3rd December -The International disability day.
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MESSAGE organize a painting competition is being organized by the
MESSAGE Institute in different schools of Jaipur
with an aim to create mass awareness among the children .
During the competition the children will express their feelings on paper with the
colors on the subject- “Sense of civic responsibility for persone with disability ”.
Event at St. Mary Convent School, Jaipur. Rajasthan