FAQ

What is eye donation?

It's giving your corneas upon death to help save and restore the sight of someone who is blinded by disease of the Cornea.

What is the cornea?

The cornea is the clear transparent window in front of the eye, and allows light to enter the eye. The cornea can be damaged by injury or infection.

How can corneal donation help people?

The cornea is a clear transparent layer of the Eye. Due to various factors, the corneas becomes opaque like frosted glass and this may result in loss of sight.A damaged or cloudy cornea can be replaced surgically by a procedure known as corneal grafting or transplantation. During this operation, the cloudy, diseased cornea is replaced by a healthy, normal cornea which is donated by another individual. After a successful transplant, vision can be restored to normal. Corneal donation therefore restores vision to those blinded by corneal disease.

The rate of success of corneal grafting is very high. So, a successful corneal graft can restore his/her sight and enable a person to regain independence.

Why should I consider corneal donation?

Because for many, the only hope of sight is offered by someone who donates his/her cornea. Donating your corneas is one of the most precious gifts you will ever bestow on another human being. This special gift will dramatically improve the quality of life for someone now living in darkness. Hundreds of people have been helped through corneal donation. They've been given a new lease on life because others have cared enough to be come donors. But, hundreds more are waiting for desperately needed corneal donations. The demand for corneas far exceeds the supply. People like you can help change the situation!

How does Corneal Opacity develop?

In Nepal, most of the people live in villages and depend upon agriculture. Agricultural and other industrial trauma to the cornea, corneal infections and lack of immediate medical treatment to corneal problems result in large number of corneal blind in developing countries like ours. Besides this, sometimes complications of diseases like measles, Typhoid, Small pox, Malnutrition, Eye surgeries etc. may cause cornea to become opaque.

Who can became an eye donor?

Most people think that to become an eye donor, they should have good vision. But the truth is that anyone can be an eye donor even if the donor is old. Wears glasses or is blind from causes other than corneal diseases. However if a person has Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C. HIV/AIDS, Syphilis or blood borne infectious diseases. s/he can't donate eyes.

How long after death can eyes be donated?

After death the donor eyes should be well closed and be protected from red powder (Abhir) and direct sunlight to protect the corneas. The corneas are removed from donor within 8 to 12 hours after death. Earlier the cornea is removed after death, better is the quality of cornea.

Will removal of the cornea disfigure the face?

No. The Eye Bank Technologists or Doctors will treat he dead body with respect and only the cornea is removed from the eyes (NOT THE WHOLE EYE BALL). So removal of the corneas does not disfigure the appearance of the face.

Can I donate my eyes if I have vision problems?

Yes! Your eyes may be useful even if you have poor vision. You are never too young or too old to be an eye donor. People with short-sightedness, long-sightedness, or astigmatism can also donate their eyes. Even people with eye diseases other than corneal disease can donate their eyes.

How can I become an eye or cornea donor?

It is better to discuss about eye donation with your family and friends. Donating corneal tissue does not entail any cost to the donor or the donor's family. If you decide to become an eye donor, you have to fill the eye donation form.