“There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark” – Helen Keller
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Did You Know The Stats?
Around 253 million of world population lives with vision impairment, out of which 36 million are blind and the others have severe issues. A number as high as 15 million of the blind population belongs to India, that is almost half of the world’s blind population.
India needs almost 40,000 optometrists and has only an alarming 8,000!
Why Donate Eyes?
There are 109 eye banks in India, out of which 5 are located in Delhi, which collect around 25,000 eyes annually, against the requirement of 2.5 lakh. So evidently, we need to spread awareness regarding the same and convince more and more people to sign up for eye donation!
Who Can Donate Eyes?
⦁ The donor can be of any age, group or gender.
⦁ People who don’t suffer from communicable diseases, like those who use spectacles, diabetics, have asthma, high blood pressure, etc can donate their eyes.
⦁ People with diseases such as AIDS, rabies, blood cancer, cholera or other infectious diseases cannot donate eyes.
Are There Any Religious or Spiritual Conflicts?
Thoughtful and selfless donation is considered to be a gift of life and sight. The eye donation is consistent with the beliefs of religion and spirituality.
Organizations Working Activity
Dera Sacha Sauda: Sirsa, Haryana
Under the holy guidance of Saint Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh Insan, the spiritual master of Dera Sacha Sauda, the organisation has established Poojaneeya Mata Kartar Kaur Ji International Eye Bank at Shah Satnam Ji Super Specialty Hospital. To bust the myths of general public, Guruji tells them that eye donation is a noble deed and poses no hinderance in afterlife.
Dera Sacha Sauda has also been conferred with an award from Asia Book of World Records for 71,042 people voluntarily pledging to donate eyes posthumously.
National Eye Bank: AIIMS, New Delhi
Dr. Rajendra Prasad Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences was named after the first President of India, Dr. Rajendra Prasad to aid medical research and undertake the eye transplants. In the last year, around 1,000 transplantation surgeries were conducted here.
Rotary Eye Bank: Borivli, Mumbai
Situated in Mumbai, the Majulabeen Dolatrai Desai Rotary Borivli Eye Bank is an eye collection, processing and storage centre. The eye bank meets international standards and a 24*7 ambulance facility is also available. 985 eyes have been donated to this bank so far.
Donating a part of us not only serves someone destitute, but this effort to make a stranger’s life better earns us pure bliss from the Almighty. Not only a grieving family is comforted, but a part of ours or our loved one’s continues to add value to their life.
So, let us all do our bit and sign up for eye donation today!
