Eye Donation

Eye Donation...this may be a big word to utter but its a devine deed

that any individual among us can do.

Jus talkin for an example,

HOW MANY OF US REALLY FAMILIAR WITH,say like the

procedure of eye doation , eye banks near to us,etc...

So here we take a time to give you a minimum info about Eye Donation

and about eye banks in visakhapatnam (address , ph. no.)

procedure_Eye Donation

Enquire about the nearest eye collection center/eye bank.This is likely to be collected at a Medical college or Eye hospital in your area.Contact the one nearest you(by phone or a personal visit)and they will register your pledge and provide you with an Eye Donation Card.

It is preferable if all the members of the family pledge their Eyes together.However an individual can also pledge his/her eyes at any time in his life.

The eyes of an deceased person can also be donated whether he has he has pledged his eyes in his life or not.Under law,relatives of the deceased can donate his/her provided he/she has never spoken against Eye Donation.

Frequently Asked Q

Some frequently asked questions about EYE DONATION

Who can be eye donors?
Any good-minded human being from the age of z year can be a donor without any maximum limit for donating the eye. All one needs to do is bequeath his or her eyes by taking a simple pledge to donate the eye after death. While taking a pledge during ones lifetime itself is a noble deed, it requires the support of the relatives or friends to carry out the wishes of eye donation of the deceased. They need to call up the Eye Bank immediately as the eye need to be removed within a maximum of six hours of death. People using spectacles, diabetes and hypertensives can make eye donation.

Can the next of kin consent to a donation if the deceased person has not signed an eye donation form?
Yes, the relatives of the deceased can decide on the eye donation of their beloved one.

How to make the eye donation?
The relatives of the deceased person can donate the eyes of their beloved ones immediately after the death. As explained already, the eyes need to be collected within six hours of death.

Who cannot donate their eyes?
Death due to unknown causes. Death due to infections caused viz. rabies, syphilis, infectious hepatitis, septicemia, and AIDS, cannot be a donor.

What is a cornea?
The cornea is the clear, transparent dome in front of the "black portion" of the eye. It is also the main focusing surface, which converges light rays as they enter the eye to focus on the retina. It is thus the most important part of the optical apparatus of the Eye. Loss of transparency directly results in loss of vision

How does a cornea become opaque?

• Infection
• Injuries
• Iatrogenic (Malpractice, Improper Post-op. care after any eye surgery)
• Malnutrition
• Congenital/Hereditary.

What is corneal transplantation?
A Corneal transplant is an operation that replaces the opaque cornea with a clear cornea obtained from a human donor.

Are there any religious conflicts in eye donation?
There are no religious conflicts on eye donation. Eye donation gives a gift of life or sight to others. As such, it is consistent with beliefs and attitudes of all major religious and ethical traditions.

Will eye donation cause delays in funeral arrangement?
No, Eye removal is performed within half an hour after death and leaves no disfiguring, that would interfere with common funeral practices.

Is the whole eye of the donor transplanted?
No, only the cornea is transplanted. However, the rest of the eye is used for research and education purposes.

Can a person who is blind due to retinal or optic nerve disease donate his eyes?
Yes, provided the cornea of the donor is clear.

Can a living person donate his eyes?
No, donation from living persons is not accepted.

Will the recipient be informed of the donor’s details?
No, the gift of sight is made anonymously.

Facts

Facts about eye donation

Eyes can be donated only after death

• Eyes must be removed within 4 - 6 hours after death
• Only a Registered Medical Practitioner can remove eyes from a deceased.
• The eye bank team will remove the eyes from the home of the deceased or from a hospital
• Eye removal does not delay the funeral since the entire procedure takes 20-30 minutes only
• A small quantity of blood will be drawn to rule out communicable diseases
• Eye retrieval does not cause disfigurement
• Religions are for eye donation
• The identities of both the donor and the recipient are kept confidential

Important points

To donate eyes, the relatives of the deceased should do the following procedures

• Close the eyelids of the deceased
• Switch off the fan
• Raise the head of the deceased slightly by placing a pillow underneath
• Contact the nearest eye bank as quickly as possible.
• Give the correct address with specific landmarks and telephone number to enable the eye bank team locate the place easily
• If the death certificate from the physician is available, keep it ready
• Eye donation can be done only with the written consent of the next of kin in the presence of two witnesse.

what else can I do for the Blind?

There are many other ways in which you can make a contribution to the cause of the visually impaired. Be it, assisting them in a variety of tasks aimed at educating the blind, rehabilitation, helping execute programs, improving employment opportunities or by just providing counseling.

Educating the blind

1. Transcription of books on the computer in word
2. Assisting in proof reading of Braille Text
3. Public evaluation of the services offered by the Braille press
4. Reading academic books or interested articles, leisure books and journals to the blind students and adults
5. Transcription of books in Braille from Indian languages as well as from English
6. Assisting blind students to write their exams
7. Assisting in scanning and editing of Braille material
8. Help in reading and writing drafts, letters, speeches etc for government officers.

Rehabilitation of the blind

1. Volunteer to accompany the blind for picnics or in other simple joys of life
2. Helping volunteers in managing the recreation programs that are conducted for the blind trainees

Improving opportunities for women

1. Help co-ordinate programs organized for the blind women by various organization
2. Data collection of projects
3. Counseling services for blind women
4. Aid in securing jobs from the corporate sector
5. Spread awareness through word of mouth and other methods among the young and elderly public
6. Offer expertise in the training areas of catering, handicrafts and other related fields
7. Assist blind girls/women in shopping, color selection and other mundane yet essential tasks

Employment Opportunities

1. Inspection of existing Telephone Booth
2. Assisting in securing Employment for the Blind

Counseling

1. Counseling the blind etc.