History
Late Fr. Parikulam, Dr. K. L. Jacob, Dr. C. K. Eapen and Dr. Tony Fernandez joined hands together to start "The Eye Bank Association" to collect donor eyes for transplantation in the year 1970. Mr. J. P. Grifth, the managing director of J & P Coats (later known as Madura Coats) was elected as President and Mr. Mathukutty was elected as Secretary. Mr. Govindan, Manager of Coats was appointed as treasurer. The organization was registered as a charitable society on 5th October, 1970.
Misinterpreted regional beliefs, wrong concepts and the unawareness of eye donation among people restricted them from donating eyes in 1970s. Dr. Hudson Silva, founder and president of International Eye Bank, Tissue Bank, and the Sri Lanka Eye Donation Society was contacted for supplying eyes to Little Flower Hospital, Angamaly. Initially, though we had problems with customs in getting the eyes transported, later on The Air Lanka and Indian Airlines agreed to transport eyes at free of cost. Many eyes were transported from Srilanka to Kerala for transplantation with the help of many persons who supported eye donation.
The main activity of the association was the propagation of the message on eye donation. It took almost 25 years to bring the awareness in the community. Mr. E. V. Philip (Late) was the first person who took initiative in donating his wife's eyes to the Eye Bank, which gave an inspiration for the movement. Rev. Fr. Rocky Vazhapally (Late) has been a great supporter of Eye donation. Being a Parish Priest, he could propagate the idea, inspire and motivate people in different parishes.
During initial stage of Eye Bank, though we collected thousands of donor's pledge forms, we could not receive any notification. Hence 'Eye Donation Forum' was started in different parishes and in many organizations in Kerala. Late Augustin Master had initiated eye donation awareness programmes in many organizations. Involvement of organizations in Eye donation played a vital role in development of the Eye Bank Association Kerala. Now we are in a position to collect and transplant corneas locally and the excess corneas are transported to other hospitals all over India.
The Eye Bank owes all the staff, doctors, nurses and students of Little Flower Hospital for their whole hearted support and cooperation to get the organization running. The Eye Bank acknowledges the efforts taken by former directors of Little Flower Hospital especially Rev. Monsr. Abraham Karedan, Rev. Monsr. Sebastian Vadakkumpadan and Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Paul V Madan and our board members. Dr. T. P. Itteyarah has been the living force and guiding light to the organization. The excellent leadership he gave all these years has been commendable.