Eye Donation

What is Eye Donation?

• Only the Cornea is Used: The only part of the eye used for transplantation is the cornea.
• Timely Donation: Eyes should be donated within 6-8 hours of death.
• Quick Procedure: The total removal time for the eyes is about 15-20 minutes.
• Impact: A single person’s eye donation can help two corneal blind individuals regain their sight.
• No Cost: There is no charge for making an eye donation.
• No Disfigurement: Eye donation does not cause any disfigurement to the donor’s body.
• Confidentiality: The identity of both the donor and recipient is kept confidential.
• No Delay in Funeral: The process does not delay funeral arrangements.

Myths About Eye Donation

• Myth 1: Eye donation will disfigure the face or body.
• Myth 2: A person who donates their eyes will be born blind in their next life.

How to Donate Eyes?

Donation can happen in either of these ways:

1. Pledge During Lifetime:

• The donor can visit an eye bank and pledge their eyes for donation by signing a pledge form, which must be signed by a witness. The form is then submitted to the eye bank.
• At the time of the donor’s death, the relative or friend who witnessed the pledge should call the nearest eye bank.

2. After Death:

• The donor’s relatives and friends should be well-informed and aware, so they can contact the nearest eye bank immediately after the donor’s death to arrange for the eye donation.

Who Can Donate Eyes?

• Eligibility: People of any gender and age can donate their eyes.
• Religion: Eye donation is possible regardless of the donor’s religion.

After Donation

• Certificate of Appreciation: The donor’s family receives a certificate of appreciation from the eye bank.
• Evaluation: The eyes are evaluated at the eye bank. Only those deemed suitable are used for transplantation; others are used for research and education.
• Recipient Notification: Recipients are notified on a first-come, first-served basis from the registry.

Contraindications for Eye Donation

1. Systemic Conditions Potentially Hazardous to Eye Bank Personnel and Fatal if Transmitted:

• HIV seropositivity
• Rabies
• Active viral hepatitis
• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease

2. Other Contraindications:

• Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis
• Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
• Reye’s syndrome
• Death from unknown causes, including unknown encephalitis
• Congenital rubella
• Active septicemia, including endocarditis

Global Statistics

1. Prevalence of Corneal Blindness:

• Approximately 10 million people worldwide suffer from corneal blindness due to diseases or injuries affecting the cornea.

2. Corneal Transplant Demand:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 12.7 million people globally are in need of a corneal transplant, highlighting a significant gap between demand and available corneas.

3. Eye Donation Rates:

• In some countries, such as the United States, approximately 1.5 million people are registered as eye donors. However, only about 50,000 corneal transplants are performed annually due to a shortage of donated eyes.

Process of Eye Donation

1. Registration: Individuals can register as eye donors through local eye banks, hospitals, or organizations promoting eye donation. Registration often involves filling out a consent form and informing family members of your wish to donate.

2. After Death: When a registered donor passes away, the family should inform the eye bank or hospital immediately. The eye bank then coordinates with medical professionals to perform the eye retrieval.

3. Surgical Procedure: The process of retrieving the eyes is relatively quick and is done in a sterile environment to preserve the corneas. It typically happens within a few hours after death to ensure the best quality of the corneas.

4. Processing and Matching: The retrieved corneas are carefully preserved and tested for diseases and suitability. They are matched with potential recipients based on medical needs and compatibility.

1. Consent and Preparation

• Consent: Eye donation typically begins with obtaining consent from the donor or their family. This may involve registering as a donor in advance or, in the absence of prior registration, obtaining consent from the family after death.
• Notification: Upon death, the hospital or corneal tissue bank is notified as soon as possible. Timely notification is crucial to ensure the corneas are retrieved within the optimal time frame.

2. Evaluation and Coordination

• Medical Evaluation: Medical professionals evaluate the donor’s medical history and cause of death to assess the suitability of the corneas for donation. This includes screening for infections and other contraindications.
• Coordination: The eye bank or designated team coordinates with the medical facility to prepare for the retrieval procedure.

3. Surgical Procedure (not needed)

• Procedure:
• Positioning: The donor’s body is positioned appropriately, often lying face up.
• Incision: A circular incision is made around the sclera to separate it from the surrounding eye tissues. This incision is usually made using a scalpel or specialized instruments.
• Corneal Extraction: The cornea sclera button is carefully lifted away from the eye. A portion of the surrounding sclera (the white part of the eye) may also be removed to ensure the cornea’s edges are intact.
• Preservation: Once removed, the cornea is placed in a sterile container with a preservation solution to keep it viable for transplantation.

4. Post-Retrieval Processing

• Documentation: The retrieved corneas are labeled and documented with details such as the donor’s information, the time of retrieval, and any relevant medical history.
• Testing: The corneas are tested for diseases and suitability. This includes screening for bacterial or viral infections and assessing the cornea’s quality (endothelial cell count) and structural integrity.

5. Storage and Distribution

• Storage: The corneas are stored in a controlled environment at a refrigerated temperature until they are needed for transplantation.
• Distribution: When a suitable recipient is found, the corneas are transported to the surgical facility. The transport is done with care to maintain the cold chain for the corneas.

6. Transplantation

• Preparation: The corneas are prepared for transplantation, which may involve additional processing to match them to the recipient’s needs.
• Surgery: The transplantation procedure is performed by an ophthalmic surgeon (cornea specialist). Depending on the type of transplant (e.g., full-thickness corneal transplant, lamellar keratoplasty), the cornea is carefully fitted and secured in the recipient’s eye.

Considerations

• Timing: The entire process from retrieval to transplantation is time-sensitive. The ideal window for corneal retrieval is typically within 6-12 hours after death to ensure optimal quality.
• Sterility and Handling: Maintaining sterility throughout the process is critical to avoid contamination and ensure the corneas are suitable for transplantation.
• Ethical and Legal Aspects: Adherence to ethical guidelines and legal requirements is essential throughout the process, including obtaining proper consent and ensuring donor anonymity.

Success Rates

• High Success: Corneal transplants have high success rates, with many patients experiencing significant improvements in vision. The procedure has been performed for decades with a strong track record of positive outcomes.

Global Statistics
1. Prevalence of Corneal Blindness:

• Approximately 10 million people worldwide suffer from corneal blindness due to diseases or injuries affecting the cornea.

2. Corneal Transplant Demand:

• The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 12.7 million people globally are in need of a corneal transplant, highlighting a significant gap between demand and available corneas.

3. Eye Donation Rates:

• In some countries, such as the United States, approximately 1.5 million people are registered as eye donors, but only about 50,000 corneal transplants are performed annually due to a shortage of donated eyes.

India Data
1. Corneal Blindness:

• India has one of the highest rates of corneal blindness, with estimates suggesting over 2 million people affected.

2. Eye Donation Rate:

• In India, the number of eye donations has been increasing, with approximately 60,000 to 70,000 corneal transplants performed annually. However, this is still far below the need.

3. Corneal Donation Campaigns:

• Various campaigns and organizations, such as the Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI), are actively working to increase awareness and boost donation rates.

Donor and Recipient Statistics

1. Donor Eligibility:

• Most people can donate their corneas regardless of age or health status, provided they meet specific medical criteria. The eligibility criteria for cornea donation may vary by country and eye bank.

2. Recipient Outcomes:

• Studies show that over 90% of corneal transplant recipients report significant improvement in vision, and many achieve near-normal vision post-surgery.