What is Cornea?
The cornea is the clear, dome-shaped tissue at the front of the eye that lets in light and helps focus it on the retina so that we can see.
What is a corneal transplant?
A corneal transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces a diseased or infected cornea with a healthy donated cornea. Corneal transplantation is the most frequently performed transplant procedure
How safe is corneal transplantation?
Over 90% of all corneal transplants performed are successful. Donated corneas are transplanted only after the donor's medical and social history has been obtained. Blood samples are taken from the donor to test for HIV and Hepatitis, and the tissue itself is evaluated for suitability under special microscopes.
What part of the eye is transplanted?
It is only the Cornea is removed from the body and is transplanted. Usually artificial or plastic eyes are put in the socket of the dead and eyelids stitched together to restore normal appearance of the face.
Can a living person donate his eyes?
A living person cannot donate his eyes. It is removed only from the dead. However, anybody can pledge to donate his eyes and his wish can be fulfilled by his family/relatives after his demise.
How to pledge?
All you have to do is to fill up an eye donation pledge form available from website and submit it.
In spite of a signed donor card, your family is the likely point of contact for healthcare personnel trying to ascertain whether or not you wanted to donate eyes. Your donor card and other means of indicating your wishes may not be available in time to make the decision. Therefore, it is important that you make your wishes known to your family in advance. The Eye Bank recovers corneas only with the express consent of the family.