DONATING the eyes of a loved one evokes mixed feelings within a family. The recipients travel an anxious, dark path before an `unknown angel’ bestows light upon them. This is what most of the recipients who were unable to see for years, expressed at a function organised to celebrate the national fortnight on eye donation from August 25 to September 8 at the Nehru Memorial Hall here.

For 17-year-old Bamabai Bajirao Maher from Solapur, the donation of the eyes was a memorable gift, something she would always remember with gratitude. “I was born blind,’ she says. Thanks to the transplant, the 17-year-old can now look forward to a better life. For 68-year-old Lalit Thacker, who audits accounts for several firms, the corneal transplant two years ago has considerably mitigated his low vision problem. Thacker, who underwent corneal transplantation combined with a cataract operation and lens implantation, assured that his ordeal was over. Despite low vision, he toiled endlessly, studying to become a Chartered Accountant and worked for several firms. “It was difficult to read and most eye institutes turned down my plea for help, but the H V Desai Eye hospital specialists finally performed the corneal transplantation,” he says gratefully.

For Pradeep Munot, proprietor, Prabhat Printing Press, who has been involved in creating awareness about eye donation, it is the right daan one can grant. And like Munot, a host of such donors and recipients interacted with each other on the occasion. Explaining the problem, Dr Bhageshree Gogate, director of the eye bank at H V Desai Eye hospital explains, “Corneal blindness is caused by nutritional deficiencies and traumatic conditions, affecting children the most. A simple corneal graft is capable of restoring vision and bringing hope to those afflicted with this form of blindness. There are fresh cases needing urgent corneal transplant- mostly children below 12 years, visually impaired from both the eyes due to Vitamin- A deficiency. We collected 507 corneas till July 2007, and 285 corneal transplants were done as a result,” says Gogate.

FAQs on Eye Donation
1) Are the eyes removed only after death?
Yes, the eyes or the corneal tissue are removed only after a person’s death.

2) How urgent is the need for eye donations?
The supply of donor eyes does not meet the demand. It is estimated that over two million people in the country suffer from corneal blindness. Though one lakh corneal transplants are necessary, only 10,000 surgeries are performed each year.

3) Who can be a donor?
Anyone can be an eye donor. Poor eyesight or age makes no difference.

4) Do religious authorities approve of donating one’s eyes after death?
Yes, all major faiths have given their approval and support the vital sight restoration programme.

5) Does eye donation cause any disfigurement? Does it delay funeral arrangements?
No. Doctors remove eyeballs by a special technique-the corneal button is removed, instead of the entire eyeball. There is no disfigurement in the process, and the procedure does not interfere with funeral arrangements.

6) When will eye donation be used?
Eyes should be removed within six to eight hours of death. The fresh tissue should be used for transplant within three days.

7) How will eye donation be used?
After the eyes are processed by the eye bank, they will be supplied to the eye surgeons who would transplant the corneal tissue into the eyes of the person who is blind.

8) Must I mention my eye donation in my will?
While you can mention your wish to donate your eyes in your will, your signed and witnessed donor card is all that is required. Inform relatives and the family physician about the decision.