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Eyes of Hope: 17,675 See Again Through Donation
5 Apr
Summary
- Over 17,675 visually impaired individuals regained sight.
- The Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan facilitated 27,307 cornea collections.
- Corneas are shared across seven states and 30 cities for transplants.
Over the past 24 years, the Eye Bank Society of Rajasthan has enabled 17,675 visually impaired individuals to see again through eye donation. Established in 2002, the organization has collected a total of 27,307 corneas, facilitating free corneal transplants for numerous beneficiaries.
Despite the profound impact of eye donation, the NGO notes that misconceptions and a lack of awareness prevent adequate numbers of people from coming forward. Myths such as the body not being touched after death or that full eyes are removed discourage potential donors.
The society actively conducts awareness drives through various camps and help desks. Their efforts have led to corneas being shared with 30 cities across states like Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi, Uttarakhand, and Haryana.
Corneas can be preserved for up to 15 days and are processed in Jaipur before distribution to hospitals. Unused corneas are utilized for medical research. The organization emphasizes that increased public participation is vital to address the significant number of people awaiting corneal transplants.
