National Eye Donation Fortnight is observed every year from August 25th to September 8th, shining a spotlight on the importance of eye donation and encouraging individuals to pledge their eyes for the noble cause. This fortnight is dedicated to raising awareness about corneal blindness, promoting the life-changing impact of eye donations, and urging more people to contribute to the gift of sight. Through education and advocacy, National Eye Donation Fortnight aims to inspire communities to understand the profound difference they can make by pledging their eyes and supporting those in need of vision restoration.
National Eye Donation Fortnight Theme 2024
The theme for National Eye Donation Fortnight for the year 2024 is ‘I Can See Clearly Now’ which mainly highlights the result of eye donation.
Significance Of National Eye Donation Fortnight 2024
National Eye Donation Fortnight, observed annually from August 25 to September 8, raises awareness about the importance of eye donation. It highlights the need for corneal transplants to restore sight, encourages people to pledge their eyes, and educates the public on the transformative impact of this noble act.
What is Corneal Blindness?
Corneal blindness refers to the loss of vision due to damage or disease affecting the cornea, the transparent front part of the eye. The cornea plays an important role in focusing light onto the retina, allowing us to visualise and see everything clearly. When the cornea becomes cloudy, scarred, or otherwise damaged, it can lead to partial or complete blindness.
What Are The Causes Of Corneal Blindness?
Corneal blindness can result from various factors, including:
Infections: Bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can damage the cornea.
Injuries: Physical trauma, chemical burns, or scratches can lead to corneal scarring.
Genetic Disorders: Conditions like keratoconus, where the cornea thins and bulges outward, can impair vision.
Nutritional Deficiencies: Lack of essential vitamins, particularly Vitamin A, can cause corneal damage.
Diseases: Autoimmune diseases and conditions like Stevens-Johnson syndrome can lead to corneal blindness.
What Is The Impact Of Corneal Blindness?
Corneal blindness can significantly affect an individual's quality of life. It can make everyday tasks challenging, reduce independence, and limit opportunities for education and employment. In many parts of the world, access to adequate eye care is limited, exacerbating the impact of corneal blindness.
How Corneal Transplantation Can Help?
Corneal transplantation, medically termed keratoplasty, is a surgical process in which a healthy donor cornea is used to replace a diseased or injured cornea. For many people, this surgery can restore vision, and its success rate is great.
There are three different types of corneal transplants, which are as follows:
Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK): The entire damaged cornea is replaced with a donor cornea.
Lamellar Keratoplasty: This process involves removal of only the damaged layers of the cornea leaving the healthy tissues intact.
Endothelial Keratoplasty: This procedure replaces the innermost layer of the cornea.
What Is The Role Of Eye Donation?
Eye donation is the process through which individuals pledge to donate their corneas after death. One eye donor can potentially restore sight to two people. The donation process is straightforward and does not delay funeral arrangements. Here are the key steps involved:
Pledging: Individuals pledge to donate their eyes through eye banks or organizations.
Retrieval: After the donor's death, the corneas are retrieved within 6-8 hours.
Storage: Corneas are preserved in eye banks until matched with recipients.
Transplantation: Corneas are transplanted by skilled surgeons to restore vision.
What Are The Benefits Of Eye Donation?
Restoring Vision: Eye donation can help individuals regain their sight and improve their quality of life.
Doubling the Impact: One donor can benefit two recipients, maximizing the positive impact.
Promoting Awareness: Donating eyes helps raise awareness about the importance of organ donation and encourages others to do the same.
Conclusion
National Eye Donation Fortnight 2024 is an opportunity to recognize the importance of eye donation and take action to help those affected by corneal blindness. By understanding the impact of corneal blindness and pledging your eyes, you can play a crucial role in giving the gift of sight and transforming lives. Let's come together to support this noble cause and ensure that more people can see the world clearly and enjoy a better quality of life.
(This article is reviewed by Kalyani Krishna Chief Content Editor)
Author Profile
Soumita Basu:
Soumita Basu holds a Bachelor's Degree in Pharmacy and is keenly interested in Ayurveda, home remedies, yoga, fitness, diagnostics, and beauty. With nearly 6 years of experience, she produces evidence-based health content, including articles, videos, and infographics, to provide valuable insights to her audience.
References:
1. Eye Donation: Awareness, Knowledge, Willingness, and Barriers among Paramedical and Allied Health Science Students at a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in South IndiaAuthors: Aimanfatima Kacheri, 1 Rekha Mudhol, 2 Sanjeev Chougule, 3 Rhema Reny, 4 Sagarika Kamath, 5 and Rajesh Kamathcorresponding author 4
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8890897/
2. Awareness and Perception Regarding Eye Donation in Students of a Nursing College in BangaloreAuthors: Anita Gupta, Sudhir Jain, Tanu Jain, and Karan Gupta
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2781118/
