Facts about eye donation

Cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye and is the focusing element of the eye. Injuries, infections, diseases, malnutrition, congenital disorders, chemical burns and post-operative factors are the main causes of corneal blindness. Sight restoration is possible with corneal transplant. Anyone of any age can donate eyes, even those who have undergone cataract surgery, wear spectacles, are hypertensive, suffer from diabetics, asthma or tuberculosis. Eyes are never removed from a living person. Once death occurs in a family, call must be made to the nearest eye bank immediately .The donor need not be taken to the eye bank. The team comes and removes the eyes without disfiguring the face. Five ml. Blood is drawn from the donor to test for AIDS, Hepatitis B and C, Rabies, septicemia, leukemia or any other infectious diseases. Eye banks are non-profit organizations and retrieved corneas are supplied free to surgeons for transplant. There is no money involved in eye donation. Eyes have to be removed within 4 to 6 hours of death and can be preserved up to four days.