Home / Health / India Faces Critical Eye Shortage: Millions Blind
India Faces Critical Eye Shortage: Millions Blind
6 Sep
Summary
- Over 2 million Indians suffer from corneal blindness.
- Current eye donations meet only a quarter of patient needs.
- LVPEI has collected over 170,000 donor corneas since 1989.
India is currently observing its 41st Eye Donation Fortnight, an initiative running from August 25 to September 8. This period is dedicated to raising public awareness about the critical importance of eye donation and encouraging pledges.
Over two million individuals in India are impacted by corneal blindness, with a disproportionate number, 60%, being children under the age of twelve. Left untreated, this condition results in complete vision loss and a substantial increase in years lived with disability, placing a significant burden on affected families and communities.
Despite the urgent need, the rate of eye donations in India remains critically low. Dr. Himabindu Alluri of LV Prasad Eye Institute highlights that myths and fears surrounding eye donation are major deterrents. Currently, the number of corneal donations only meets the needs of approximately one-fourth of the patients requiring them.
The LVPEI Eye Bank Network actively collects corneas through voluntary donations from deceased individuals' families and its Hospital-based Cornea Retrieval Program. Since its establishment in 1989, the network has successfully gathered over 170,626 donor corneas, demonstrating a long-standing commitment to restoring sight.
