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Eye Donation Shortage Hampers Kerala's Vision
29 Aug
Summary
- Kerala faces a critical shortage of quality donor corneas.
- Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programmes (HCRP) are key to boosting supply.
- Only 40-50% of retrieved corneas in Kerala are usable.
As National Eye Donation Fortnight begins in Kerala, a shortage of donor corneas, particularly high-quality tissue from younger donors, remains a significant obstacle in the state's fight against corneal blindness. Ophthalmologists note that while awareness about eye donation is present, actual donations often fall short due to family consent issues, fear of disfigurement, or poor tissue quality.
The state is expanding corneal transplantation services, yet the focus needs to shift towards developing robust Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programmes (HCRP) in both public and private sectors. These programs aim to ensure a consistent supply of corneas and improve retrieval of good-quality tissue.
Public awareness is crucial, emphasizing that anyone can donate eyes, regardless of conditions like diabetes or hypertension. The cornea is the only organ that can be donated after death within a six-hour window, with the retrieval process being swift and non-disfiguring.
Kerala's annual eye donation rate of 1,700 corneas is considerably lower than states like Andhra Pradesh, which retrieves 10,000 annually. Corneal problems account for a substantial percentage of blindness, particularly among younger age groups.
A major challenge is the low utilization rate of retrieved corneas, with only 40-50% being suitable for transplantation, primarily due to poor tissue quality and decreasing endothelial cell density with age. To meet the projected need for one lakh transplants annually nationwide, a significant increase in cornea harvesting is required.
HCRP offers a proactive, hospital-based solution, involving grief counselors and volunteers to actively engage with bereaved families. This model enhances the availability of high-quality corneal tissue, ensures timely retrieval, and facilitates easier screening, leading to higher utilization rates. For instance, in 2023, Government Medical College, Kozhikode, had a 25% utilization rate, while Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly, with an established HCRP, achieved 48%.
