Bharat Eye Bank - Facts About Eye Donation

Facts about eye donation

Eyes can be donated only after death
Eyes must be removed within 4 - 6 hours after death
Only a Registered Medical Practitioner can remove eyes from a deceased.
The eye bank team will remove the eyes from the home of the deceased or from a hospital
Eye removal does not delay the funeral since the entire procedure takes 20-30 minutes only
A small quantity of blood will be drawn to rule out communicable diseases
Eye retrieval does not cause disfigurement
Religions are for eye donation
The identities of both the donor and the recipient are kept confidential

Important points

To donate eyes, the relatives of the deceased should do the following procedures

Close the eyelids of the deceased
Switch off the fan
Raise the head of the deceased slightly by placing a pillow underneath
Contact the nearest eye bank as quickly as possible.
Give the correct address with specific landmarks and telephone number to enable the eye bank team locate the place easily
If the death certificate from the physician is available, keep it ready
Eye donation can be done only with the written consent of the next of kin in the presence of two witnesses

For more information visit www.ebai.org or any of the other eye banks. You could also call 1919 toll free across the country to get information.