2. The magnitude of avoidable (preventable and treatable) blindness Global Sources: US Department of Health; The World Health Organization

3. 6.8 million people 5.8 million = Unilateral 1.0 million = Bilateral New patients every year = 40,000 – 50,000 Corneal Blindness: INDIA

4. Can a living person donate his eyes? Only a deceased person’s eyes can be accepted as eye donation. You can pledge to donate your eyes and your wish can be fulfilled by your kith and kins.

5. Parts of the eye used for Transplantation The entire eye is removed,but only cornea is transplanted. An artificial or plastic eye is put in place of original eye to restore natural appearance and eyelids are closed.

6. The main causes of Corneal Blindness Injuries,Malnutrition,Infections,Chemical Burns,Congenital Disorders,Post-operative Cases.

7. Transplantation procedure.

8. Procedure for eye donation. Process of removing eyes takes only 15 to 30 minutes. Susrut team can come to the place where deceased person’s body is being kept to remove the eyes. For donating eyes Just call: 033-23580201/23341628/32

9. Fill up the Eye Donation Form available with usInform your wish to your family members and your family physician.Your family member needs to call us after your soul reached the heavenObtain the Death CertificateREMEMBER: EYES ARE TO BE COLLECTED WITHIN 6 HOURS OF DEATHFor donating eyes call us at: 033-23580201/23341628/32

10. Who Can Donate? Everybod y can donate their eyes except: HIVHEPATITISRABIESSNAKE BITESEPTICAEMIA DEATH FROM UNKNOWN CAUSE

11. Contraindications for Donation Death of unknown cause Dementia Active Septicemia. Active ocular infections. Retinoblastoma's, tumors of the anterior segment, or known adenocarcinoma of the eye. Leukemia Hepatitis B and C, HTLV-1 or 2, HIV, syphilis. Active disseminated lymphomas. Rabies Virus. Prior Intraocular surgery Radial keratotomy, lamellar inserts, Laser photoablation surgery, IOL and Glaucoma surgery.

12. Barriers Of Collection: - Ignorance / Lack of Information.Lack of Motivation.Believes and Superstitions.Lack of proper Eye Health Education.Lack of Infrastructure.Lack of Network / Communications.Inadequate Law.

13. Steps to overcome the barriers  Training of health personnel  Eye screening and awareness camps  Media  Local clubs  Eye donation fortnight  Felicitation of donors  Family pledging  Hospital cornea retrieval programme  Progressive legislation

14. Nearly anyone can become an eye donor. Current visual problems rarely prevents donation. If interested in donation let your family know your intentions as they will likely make the decision for you. Some things last more than a lifetime Conclusions

15. Some things last more than a lifetime For donating eyes it only takes one call: 23580201/23341628/3