More than three million people are waiting for corneal transplants in India, while only about 50,000 corneal donations are made in the country, said K. Bhujang Shetty, chairperson of Narayana Nethralaya.
The hospital has intensified its eye donation campaign in the State to create awareness and bridge the gap between demand and supply of corneas in the country.
Pointing out that the intensified campaign is being carried out by the hospital under the aegis of Dr. Rajkumar Eye Bank, Dr. Shetty said: “Not many are aware that India is known as the ‘Blind capital of the world’. Although there are nearly 300 to 400 deaths reported each day in the city, eye donation accounts for just 3 to 4 per cent.”
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Dr. Rajkumar Eye Bank, manages to collect 800 to 900 eyes from donors. So far, it has secured eye donation pledges from as many as 40,000 people in Karnataka.
Awareness
To mark the National Eye Donation Fortnight between August 25 and September 8, the hospital has organised special programmes to create awareness on eye donation.
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Volunteers of Dr. Rajkumar Eye Bank will distribute pamphlets and pledge forms at malls, petrol outlets, bus-stops, government offices, IT firms, restaurants, hospitals, mortuaries and autorickshaw stands. The hospital will also hold a painting competition for children on topics related to eye donation and pledging. Eye donation stickers will also be distributed to taxi and auto drivers. An exhibition of paintings by renowned artists at Orion Mall, Rajajinagar, has been organised from August 29 to September 1, Dr. Shetty added.