Close to 1,500 residents, mostly students, took part in a rally to create awareness about eye donation on Sunday. Organised by Rotary Rajan Eye Bank, Rotary Club of T. Nagar and Rajan Eye Care Hospital, the rally was flagged off by actor Jayam Ravi, who pledged his eyes, said chairman of the hospital Mohan Rajan.
“Corneal blindness is a huge issue in the country. Approximately 3 million people are blind due to it, and a majority of them — around 60 per cent — are children below the age of 15. India is the largest producer of childhood blindness in the world. If we are able to eradicate corneal blindness, we can take care of blindness in children to a large extent,” he said.
The rally proceeded from Vivekananda House to Lighthouse, he said.
“This is the 16th year we have held the rally, and this is a major impetus to eye donation. In 2000, we used to receive one pair of eyes a week. Now, we receive one pair a day," he said.
