From August 25 to September 8, National Eye Donation Fortnight is observed. The goal is to raise awareness about the significance of eye donation and encourage individuals to commit to donating their eyes after death. As per the National Health Portal of India, blindness is a significant public health issue in developing nations. It reveals that around 6.8 million people experience corneal blindness in at least one eye, with 1 million suffering from blindness in both eyes in the country.

Objective and Significance

1. Promoting Eye Donation:

   • The primary objective of the National Fortnight on Eye Donation is to spread awareness about the importance of donating eyes and to motivate individuals to pledge to donate their eyes after death. The program works to dispel myths and misconceptions about eye donation and promotes its benefits.

2. Addressing Corneal Blindness:

   • The campaign focuses on reducing corneal blindness in India by increasing the availability of donated eyes. Corneal blindness refers to the loss of vision due to damage or disease of the cornea, which can often be treated by transplanting a healthy cornea from a donor.

3. Eliminating the Corneal Blindness Backlog:

   • India has a large number of corneal blind patients waiting for transplants. National Fortnight on Eye Donation serves as a critical initiative in closing the gap between the demand and supply of donated eyes, as well as reducing the backlog of corneal transplant surgeries.

History

The National Fortnight on Eye Donation was introduced to create a national platform for eye donation awareness and to integrate efforts toward encouraging people to donate their eyes after death. Various government and non-government organizations, including eye banks, medical institutions, and NGOs, collaborate in this campaign every year.

The Government of India, along with the National Programme for Control of Blindness and Visual Impairment (NPCBVI), plays a key role in promoting this observance. NPCBVI, established in 1976, is a major government initiative aimed at reducing the burden of blindness, and this fortnight-long campaign is part of their continuous effort to address preventable blindness.

Activities and Campaigns

During the National Fortnight on Eye Donation, a series of awareness campaigns, activities, and initiatives are carried out across the country, including:

1. Awareness Programs:

   • Seminars, workshops, and public lectures are held in hospitals, schools, colleges, and community centers to inform the public about eye donation, its importance, and how it works.

2. Media Campaigns:

   • Government agencies, NGOs, and hospitals conduct extensive media campaigns through television, radio, newspapers, and social media to reach a larger audience. These campaigns often include testimonials from recipients of corneal transplants and families of eye donors to inspire people to participate.

3. Eye Donation Pledging Drives:

   • Organizations set up eye donation pledge camps, where people can voluntarily pledge to donate their eyes. Special forms and mobile apps are available for people to register their intent to donate after death.

4. Collaboration with Eye Banks:

   • Eye banks play a central role in the campaign. They promote awareness about their services, conduct training programs for medical professionals, and ensure that the process of eye donation is smooth and efficient. Eye banks also encourage families of deceased individuals to consider donating their loved ones' eyes.

5. Corneal Transplant Camps:

   • In certain areas, medical institutions and eye hospitals conduct free corneal transplant camps during this period, where individuals suffering from corneal blindness can receive transplants.

6. Myth-Busting Campaigns:

   • Misconceptions about eye donation, such as beliefs that donating eyes may disfigure the body or that only young and healthy people can donate, are addressed through various programs aimed at educating the public about the facts of eye donation.

Impact of Eye Donation in India

1. Statistics on Corneal Blindness:

   • In India, it is estimated that there are 1 million people suffering from corneal blindness. Many of these individuals can regain vision through a corneal transplant. However, the demand for donated eyes far exceeds the supply. Campaigns like the National Fortnight on Eye Donation aim to bridge this gap by encouraging more people to donate their eyes.

2. Restoring Sight:

   • Each year, the National Fortnight on Eye Donation helps in increasing the number of eye donations. One person's eye donation can restore vision to two individuals suffering from corneal blindness, as the corneas from both eyes can be transplanted.

3. Government Initiatives:

   • The Indian government, through its NPCBVI, has launched numerous initiatives to combat preventable blindness. In recent years, NPCBVI has worked to enhance the infrastructure for eye donation and corneal transplant surgery, along with improving public awareness.

Process of Eye Donation

• Eligibility: Anyone, regardless of age, gender, or previous eye conditions, can pledge to donate their eyes. Even those with vision problems or those who have undergone surgeries like cataract removal are eligible to donate their corneas.

• How Eye Donation Works:

  1. Upon a person's death, the eye donation process must be initiated within 4 to 6 hours to ensure the corneas are viable for transplant.
  2. A medical professional removes the corneas from the deceased, a procedure that does not cause any disfigurement to the donor's face.
  3. The corneas are then transported to an eye bank, where they are evaluated for suitability.
  4. After evaluation, the corneas are transplanted into recipients who have corneal blindness.

• Role of Eye Banks: Eye banks are responsible for collecting, preserving, and distributing donated corneas to hospitals and medical centers for transplants. They play a critical role in ensuring that corneal transplants are performed efficiently and in a timely manner.

Challenges and Solutions

1. Lack of Awareness: Despite the large number of individuals affected by corneal blindness, there is still a lack of awareness about eye donation in many parts of India. The campaign aims to address this gap by educating people about the life-changing impact of eye donation.

2. Reluctance to Donate Eyes: Cultural beliefs, misconceptions, and the emotional state of families during bereavement often deter eye donations. Through myth-busting campaigns and testimonials, the program works to change perceptions about the process.

3. Increasing the Number of Eye Banks: The need for more eye banks across India is crucial to meet the demand for corneas. The government and private organizations are working together to set up more eye banks and enhance their efficiency.

Conclusion

The National Fortnight on Eye Donation plays a crucial role in spreading awareness about the importance of eye donation and encouraging more people to pledge their eyes. Through various programs and activities, the campaign strives to address the issue of corneal blindness in India, making a significant impact on restoring vision and enhancing the lives of thousands of people across the country.