Our understanding of the world and how we perceive it depends upon our
individual interpretation of how we see it. The eyes are our windows into the world
around us, a limitless window that we are in control of.
Now close your eyes for a moment, absorb the darkness you are experiencing. Any
the moment you want, you can open your eyes to let the light in and you’d notice, the world around will not have changed.
But unfortunately, for some individuals among us, the momentary darkness you
experienced a while ago… is a permanent reality.
People can experience loss of sight due to various reasons. While some people are
born with no sight, others have lost their vision due to health complications. Either
way, it is a hard life to live.
A blind individual faces double the challenges while navigating through everyday
life. A common routine for you and I could be a tough task for an individual without
eyesight. But, there is still hope.
Through advancements in medical science, blind individuals with corneal defects
still stand a chance at a normal life, with the help of eye donation.
If you or your loved ones want to take part in a cause as noble as this and pledged
to donate your eyes, this is the information you need to know to actualize your
pledge into life-changing action.
1. EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN DONATE: Regardless of one’s age and gender,
every individual can make a choice of donating their eyes in the event of death. The only exceptions are individuals suffering from sexually
transmitted diseases and communicable diseases. Apart from this category,
EVERY INDIVIDUAL can donate their eyes.
2. EYES NEED TO BE SURGICALLY REMOVED WITHIN 6 HOURS OF A DONOR’S
DEATH: The donor’s eyes need to be surgically removed within the first few
hours of his/her death, for their donation to be medically approved.
The next of kin, appointed by the donor needs to notify the eye bank soon
after the death. These steps need to be followed to make the eye donation a
successful process.
3. EYE DONATION DOES NOT CAUSE DISFIGUREMENT: The relatives and
loved ones of the donor can hold a proper funeral service even after the
process of eye donation, as the procedure does not cause any facial
disfigurement.
4. EVERY DONATION IS FREE OF ALL COSTS: Eye donations are an act of
medical charity and thus it is exempted of all costs. Selling, buying or
brokering in the name of donation is a criminal offense under the rule of law.
5. BENEFIT OF ANONYMITY: The identities of both the donor and recipient will
not be disclosed to safeguard their privacy.
6. CORNEAL TRANSPLANT HAVE HIGH SUCCESS RATES: Studies indicate that
more than 90% of corneal transplantations have been successful in restoring
vision in people with corneal blindness. Babies born with this condition gain
to benefit the most from a timely donation.
7. CONSENT OF DONOR’S KIN IS MANDATORY DURING DONATION: An eye
donation cannot go through without the permission of the kin or loved ones
of the deceased donor.
It is necessary for the donor to appoint a relative or friend as their
representative in his/her lifetime to ensure their will is carried out after their death.
The decision to donate your eyes can give a blind person another shot at life. Know
everything about the eye donation procedure before you begin.
To download a pledge form to fill in when you decide the time is right, click here
