Dreams are not those we see when we fall asleep, but those which will never let us sleep till they are achieved. I have a dream too “vision for the blind”.

There was a blind boy who kept telling his girlfriend that he would marry her only if he could see. One day, thanks to someone who donated him eyes, his vision was restored. At first he was full of wonder at the beauty of the world around him. But then he was shocked to see that his girlfriend was blind and refused to marry her. While parting ways, she handed him a goodbye note. It said, “Please take good care of my eyes”. It was she who had given up her eyes so the boy could see!

Eye donation myths
I learnt that there are many myths surrounding eye donation, about who can or cannot donate their eyes and other aspects. The facts stated below effectively demolish some of these wrong beliefs:

1. Anyone can donate their eyes irrespective of age, sex or blood group.
2. No faith imposes religious strictures against eye donation.
3. Those who wear spectacles or have undergone cataract surgery can also donate eyes.
4. Persons with diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure) can donate eyes too.
5. Eye donation should take place within 4 to 6 hours of death.
6. Removal of the cornea does not disfigure the face of the deceased person.
7. The procedure of removal is simple and can be carried out wherever the body of donor is, without expense to the donor’s family.
8. Only people suffering from any cancer above the neck, blood cancer, rabies, HIV or septicemia (poison in blood) cannot donate eyes.

These are important facts for family members of a potential deceased donor:

• Obtain a death certificate as soon as possible.
• Switch off the fan and if possible switch on the AC.
• Close the deceased’s eyelids and put wet cotton on the eyelids.
• Keep the head of the deceased raised using a couple of pillows.
• Contact the nearest eye bank or dial the all India toll free number 1919. You can even get additional details on: http://www.eyebankcrc.org. A team of coordinators and doctors will reach the place where the deceased lies at the earliest.
• In case of death in a hospital, hospital authorities may be informed about your consent for eye donation.
• In spite of enrollment at an eye bank, eyes can be offered to the nearest eye collection center as place of death cannot be predicted.