Chennai, 3rd September 2022: Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Chennai organized a Human chain to raise awareness for Eye donation as a part of National Eye donation fortnight 2022, today in Edward Elliot’s Beach, Chennai. The National Eye Donation Fortnight is observed every year from 25th August to 8th September. Dr S. Soundari, Medical Director – Dr. Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, Ms. Sudha, Director at Dr.Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals, and Dr. Preethi, Senior Cornea Consultant & Medical Director – Dr Agarwals Eye Bank were also present on the occasion.
A huge participation of more than 200 members belonging to different age groups comprising College students, Doctors & staff of Dr. Agarwal Eye Hospital and the general public held placards participated in the human chain which created a mass public awareness about the importance of Eye donation andgenerated Eye donation pledges.
Dr. Preethi, Senior Cornea Consultant & Medical Director – Dr Agarwals Eye Bank said, “Even though one pair of eyes can give vision to 4 people, there is a huge gap between demand and supply of the eyes. National Eye Donation fortnight is observed at all our Dr. Agarwal’s Group of Eye Hospitals, campaigning to bring the masses on a common platform to understand the importance of Eye donation”
“According to the National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB), one-third of the world’s visually challenged population is from India accounting for 12 million individuals with visual impairment and corneal diseases are the major causes of blindness after cataracts and glaucoma. According to the National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey 2019, Corneal blindness is the major cause of blindness in patients aged less than 50 years, accounting for 37.5 % of cases and the second most important cause among patients aged more than 50 years. Majority of cases, corneal blindness can be corrected through eye donation. According to a global survey on eye banking and corneal transplantation, for every 70 corneal recipients worldwide only 1 donor cornea is available. This emphasizes that there is a huge demand for donor cornea” Dr. Preethi added.
