Urging the public to contribute to a noble cause, Punjab Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh on Sunday called on the citizens to pledge their eyes for donation during the launch of the 39th National Eye Donation Fortnight. Running from August 25 to September 8, the campaign seeks to address the severe shortage of corneas needed for transplantation.   Dr Balbir, who is also a renowned eye surgeon, emphasized the life-changing impact of eye donation. Eye donation can restore sight to individuals suffering from corneal blindness, a condition that can be effectively treated through a procedure known as Keratoplasty. This transparent layer, the cornea, is crucial for clear vision, he explained.   Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Dr Balbir noted that corneal blindness predominantly affects children and young adults. In India, around 1.1 million people suffer from corneal blindness, with 25,000 new cases annually. Yet, only 25,000 corneal transplants are performed each year, showcasing a significant discrepancy between need and availability, he said.   Punjab currently has 10 registered eye banks and 27 corneal transplantation centers. Despite the availability of skilled surgeons and modern facilities, the shortage of eye tissues remains a significant barrier. In 2023-24, 940 transplants were carried out in Punjab, with 275 successful surgeries reported by July 2024.   Dr Hitinder Kaur, Director of Health and Family Welfare, outlined the planned IEC activities for the fortnight, aimed at educating the public and dispelling myths about eye donation. Registration forms are available at district hospitals, sub-divisional hospitals, and community health centers, and can also be completed online at www.nhm.punjab.gov.in/Eye_Donation/form1.php or http://www.nhm.punjab.gov.in/Eye_Donation/form1.php.   FAQs, Facts, and Myths About Eye Donation   o   What is an eye bank? An eye bank is an organization recognized by the government that collects and distributes human eyes for corneal transplantation.   o   Who can be an eye donor? Anyone, regardless of age, sex, or blood group, can be an eye donor.   o   Is the whole eye used for transplant? No, only the cornea, the thin transparent layer at the front of the iris, is used for transplantation.   o   What is corneal transplantation? It is a surgical procedure where a diseased cornea is replaced with a healthy one from a donor to restore vision.   o   How quickly should the cornea/eye be removed after death? It should be removed within 6 hours of death.   o   Can patients with diabetes or hypertension donate eyes? Yes, they can.   o   Who cannot donate eyes? Eyes cannot be collected from donors with AIDS (HIV), Hepatitis B or C, Sepsis, Leukaemia, Rabies, Meningitis, Encephalitis, Tetanus, or other viral diseases.   o   What should relatives do after death? They should inform the nearest eye bank or eye collection center immediately.

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