2 hrs ago

Seven Eye Donation Myths Indians Should Stop Believing

Many people wrongly think glasses or old age make eye donation impossible.

They may still be able to donate their corneas, which are the clear front parts of the eyes.

Cataract surgery, glaucoma, diabetes, or high blood pressure also do not automatically prevent donation.

Doctors check the donated tissue after it is retrieved.

Trained workers can remove the eyes without changing how the face looks.

Families can still hold normal funeral ceremonies.

A person does not always need to be registered beforehand because the family may provide consent after death.

Corneal donation can help some people see again, but it cannot cure every kind of blindness.

Key facts

Main donated tissue: The cornea, the transparent dome-shaped tissue at the front of the eye.
Glasses: Myopia, hypermetropia, astigmatism, and wearing spectacles do not automatically disqualify a donor.
Medical conditions: Cataract surgery, glaucoma, diabetes, and high blood pressure do not automatically prevent donation.
Age: Families should not rule out donation because of age; specialists decide whether tissue is usable.
Retrieval process: Trained professionals can retrieve donated eyes without disfiguring the face.
Family consent: Families must be informed of the person's wishes and provide consent after death.
Limits of transplantation: Corneal transplantation helps selected cases of corneal blindness, not blindness caused by retinal, optic nerve, or neurological problems.

NDTV · 2 hrs ago