JOIN USLions International Eye Bank is doing its bit to create awareness on eye donation. As part of the 31st Eye Donation Fortnight, several initiatives have been planned by the Bank.
Eye donation fortnight is being observed from August 25 to September 9. Speaking to DH, Sowmya, Manager, Lions International Eye Bank, said that as part of the programmes planned for the fortnight, audio-visual lectures are being organised in colleges. Recently, the eye bank had arranged such a lecture at the Hombegowda Degree College.
In 2015, as many as 1,534 corneas were collected by Lions International Eye Bank. This year, till June, 693 donations have taken place, according to Sowmya.
“We also have the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programmes in hospitals where counsellors motivate families to come foward and donate the corneas of the deceased. Sometimes, we get calls from relatives of the deceased, who volunteer for donation. However, we have to bear the eligibility criteria in mind. Not all can be accepted,” she explained.