Many Sign Up to Donate Eyes But Very Few Actual Eye Donors, Say Eye Doctors

Kerala Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons observed that many people sign up to donate eyes but very few actually donate. Just 250 corneal transplants took place last year said the doctors.

Kerala Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons (KSOS) observed that many people sign up to donate eyes but very few actually donate. Just 250 corneal transplants took place last year said the doctors.

V. Sahasranamam, president of KSOS, Tuesday said: "Despite Kerala being the most literate state, when it comes to actual donations last year in the state, just 250 corneas were received for transplantation. We have to step up the awareness campaign. One way is that those who have signed to donate their eyes should have a framed certificate displayed in their homes."

About Cataract
Encyclopedia section of medindia gives general info about Cataract

At the state's only Regional Institute of Ophthalmology here, last year around 80 corneal transplants took place while the waiting list of those seeking a transplant is more than 600.

"Eyes are the only organ in a human body that can be taken from a dead body as late as six hours of the person passing away. We have an arrangement with the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation to transport corneas from a dead body to a nearby hospital," said Dr. Abraham Kurian, a leading ophthalmologist with an eye hospital in the capital city.

A cornea can be preserved for a maximum of two weeks.

Retinoblastoma - Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Retinoblastoma is a type of cancer of the eye occurring in children. Early diagnosis and treatment, and genetic counselling can go a long way in saving life and vision in children and siblings at risk for this disease.

"A major impediment is that when a donor passes away, relatives are reluctant to allow a corneal transplant," said Dr. Gopal, another ophthalmologist.

Incidentally, Gujarat leads the country when it comes to eye donations and Sri Lanka is the leading country which exports corneas.

LASIK Eye Surgery
LASIK is a type of laser procedure performed on the eye to correct refractive errors and presbyopia by reshaping the cornea.

At the three-day 39th KSOS annual meet here beginning Friday, special sessions would be held to train young eye surgeons in cataract surgery.

Source-IANS

Routine Eye Examination
A comprehensive eye exam can take an hour or more, depending on the doctor and the number and complexity of tests required to fully evaluate vision and the health of the patient’s eyes.