Punjab Urges Eye Pledges to Combat Blindness

Punjab's Health Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, has called upon residents to pledge their eyes for donation, emphasizing the profound impact one donor can have by restoring vision to two individuals suffering from corneal blindness. As an eye surgeon himself, he underscored the critical role of sight, noting that up to 80% of sensory information is processed visually.

India faces a severe challenge with approximately 11 lakh people affected by corneal blindness, and an additional 25,000 cases emerging each year. The country requires over 1 lakh corneal transplants annually, yet only about 25,000 are performed. Punjab recorded 1,041 corneal transplants in 2025-26, with 351 successful surgeries conducted by July of the current year.

The National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment advises pledging eyes via the website https:///notto.abdm.gov.in/. The state has 13 registered eye banks and 20 corneal transplantation centers. While anyone can pledge their eyes, medical eligibility at the time of death is crucial, with eye tissue ideally collected within six hours. Informing family members of the decision is also vital for consent.

Punjab's health department is conducting intensified awareness activities over the next two weeks to encourage eye donations and bridge the gap in transplantation needs.