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500 corneal blind patients? hopes vanish
SHOCKING IT may sound, but all the 500 corneal blind patients who got themselves registered at the Eye Bank at Regional Institute of Ophthalmology should leave all hopes to see this beautiful world again.
Eye Donation Fortnight: Only 25 pledges so far
SHOCKING IT may sound, but all the 500 corneal blind patients who got themselves registered at the Eye Bank at Regional Institute of Ophthalmology should leave all hopes to see this beautiful world again.
Blame it on social taboos attached with eye donation or lack of sensitivity among general public, the Eye Bank receives only 20 to 25 eyes every year against the heavy demand of more than 500 cornea transplant.
What's more the ongoing National Eye Donation Fortnight (August 25-September 8) started with zero per cent eye donation and only a few pledges to donate eyes.
The Eye Bank at the Regional Institute of Ophthalmology (MD Eye Hospital) was established in 1968 to promote people to donate eyes and help in restoring the sight of corneal blind patients. The Eye Bank was also registered under Human Organ Act 1994 for eye donation, corneal transplantation and other research activities. But even after 38 years, it failed to create required awareness among people for eye donation. It gets barely 20 to 25 donor eyes every year whereas more than 500 corneal blind patients from Allahabad and adjoining districts get themselves registered at the Eye Bank in the hope of getting sight.
The government, in order to motivate people for eye donation, also launched National Eye Donation Fortnight under the National Programme For the Control of Blindness (NPCB). But the drive which has already crossed halfway has failed to attract even a single donor till date. Only 20 to 25 pledges were made for donating eyes in the past few days of 'lacklustre' drive.
Director Regional Institute of Ophthalmology Dr SP Singh said as many as 1.50 million people in India suffer from corneal blindness. Another 40,000 to 50,000 patients were added every year. "But only 25,000 eyes are donated which are not sufficient for these patients," he added.
Dr Singh said in Allahabad alone, more than 500 corneal blind patients got themselves registered at the Eye Bank. But the Eye Bank receives only 20 to 25 eyes. "We conducted only 18 cornea transplants from April to August 2006.
However a special cell has also been formed at the hospital to educate public regarding eye donation. In addition, a team of doctors and paramedical staff will also set up camps in remote areas to spread awareness about eye donation," he added.
