Eye Pledge We Pledge
3 million visually challenged suffer from corneal blindness in India
Corneal blindness is curable by corneal transplant. This surgery involves replacing the damaged cornea by a cornea from a donated eye.
The demand for this corneal tissue is far greater than its supply. Our Foundation is actively working on this issue to remove the parity
You can make a difference
An Appeal to undertake an eye donation pledge
Become a sight ambassador and help us spread the gift of sight.
There can be no other nobler cause than bringing the joy of sight to a visually challenged person.
Help us spread the awareness
We are actively spreading awareness amongst the public about this cause.
It does not matter whether the donor had hypertension, diabetes, TB or any other problem and even undergone cataract surgery or was wearing spectacles. Read the FAQ's below for more information
Fill the Eye Pledge form online
You will receive your Donor Card through email after form submission.
Please watch out for an email from : "info@mangeshda.org"
Eye Pledge Drives
What is Eye Donation
Eye donation is the noble act of donating one's eyes after his/her death. Only corneal blinds can be benefitted through this process not other Blinds. It is an act of charity, purely for the benefit of the society and is totally voluntary. It is done after death. The eye donation of the deceased can be authorized by the next of kith & kin even if the deceased did not pledge to donate his / her eyes before death.
The eyes, which are received through such magnanimous gestures, are of great benefit to the society. The front, clear and transparent tissue of the eye called as cornea can be used to restore vision to corneal blind person. The other portions of the eye are also used for research and training purposes to develop cures for some of the common eye diseases.
The Cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. It is a focusing element of the eye. The Vision is dramatically reduced or lost if the cornea becomes cloudy. This loss of the vision is referred as corneal blindness.
The cornea can get damaged through accidents. Children, while playing with sharp objects (e.g. bows and arrows ,pen, pencil, etc.) can accidentally damage their cornea. Corneal blindness can also happen to elders. Some of the industrial causes are chemical bums, flying debris or road accidents. The cornea can get damaged due to infections and malnutrition as well.
Yes. Removing the damaged cornea and replacing it with a healthy cornea by surgery can cure corneal blindness. Till date the treatment of the corneally blind people is corneal grafting. Artificial corneas have not yet been developed and hence the only source for cornea is from our fellow human beings.
Procedure and frequently asked questions
Eyes are removed only after death. A person wishing to donate eyes should make close family members aware of their intentions. After the death of the person, it is the family who can inform the nearest eye bank to fulfill the wishes of the deceased or authorize the removal of the eyes if somebody from an eye bank approaches the family.
A special Toll free number 1919 (BSNL) Nationwide has been allotted for eye banks. Most of the eye banks all over the country have this number, once information for eye donation is communicated to eye banks; the eye bank sends its team to collect the eyes. By calling this number, details about eye donation can also be obtained.
The process of removing eyes does not take more than 15 to 20 minutes. The eye bank team can come either to the house where death has taken place or to the hospital where death has taken place to remove the eyes there. It would not delay the funeral arrangements.
-Switch off fans and switch on Air conditioner (if available).
-Raise the head of the deceased slightly by placing a pillow underneath.
-Place wet clean cloth over the closed eye lids.
-Please ensure that the eyelids are properly closed.
-Keep a copy of the death certificate ready (if available).
-Contact the nearest eye bank as quickly as possible.
-Give the correct and complete address with any landmark.
-The eye bank team, which would have a trained technician and/or a registered medical practitioner, would remove the eyes after taking consent.
-Raise the head of the deceased slightly by placing a pillow underneath.
-Place wet clean cloth over the closed eye lids.
-Please ensure that the eyelids are properly closed.
-Keep a copy of the death certificate ready (if available).
-Contact the nearest eye bank as quickly as possible.
-Give the correct and complete address with any landmark.
-The eye bank team, which would have a trained technician and/or a registered medical practitioner, would remove the eyes after taking consent.
There are two methods adopted for removal of eyes. Some eye banks would remove the whole eyeball. In such a case there may be temporary bleeding. The team is well trained to take care of such eventualities. There would be no disfigurement. The eye bank team, after the removal of eyes would properly close the eyes so that there is no disfigurement. The second method is the removal of only the clear transparent tissue. Here also a plastic shield is placed in place of the tissue and no difference can be noticed.
All religions endorse eye donation. There are numerous examples in our traditions and scriptures, which endorse eye and organ donation. A part of the body would be consumed by flames and reduced to ashes or which is buried and allowed to decay and disintegrate & cannot be put to a better use than restoring vision to the needy!!!
Any person of any age can donate eyes. Even if the deceased has medical history of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, tuberculosis etc., and even spectacle wearers and people who have undergone cataract operation can donate eyes.
Patients suffering from Rabies, Aids, Cancer at the time of death cannot donate their eyes.