Check here the date, theme and importance of eye donation
National Eye Donation Fortnight It is celebrated annually from August 25 to September 8. The fortnight aims to raise awareness about the Importance of eye donation and why one should take the pledge to donate their eyes after death. When a person donates his eye, he helps another person regain vision. The event has been celebrated in India for the past 39 years. On this day, various local and central organizations come together to educate and encourage people to donate their eyes and give people a gift of vision.
Date of the National Eye Donation Fortnight
The National Eye Donation Fortnight is celebrated from August 25 to September 8. The event was established by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India in 1985. Since then, every year, the government has been conducting campaigns to promote the importance of eye donation.
Theme of the National Eye Donation Fortnight
The theme for National Eye Donation Fortnight 2024 “Now I can see clearly” is the motto that highlights the result of eye donation.
Importance of eye donation
Eye donation is an important act that can help change lives by offering the gift of sight to people suffering from corneal blindness. Corneal blindness is caused by damage or disease affecting the cornea. This is one of the leading causes of vision loss worldwide. Through eye donation, the cornea of a deceased donor can be transplanted into a recipient, thus restoring their vision and significantly improving their quality of life.
The need for eye donations outstrips availability, and many people remain on waiting lists for years due to donor shortages. By making a commitment to donate eyes, individuals can fill this critical shortage and thereby ensure that those in need have the opportunity to regain their sight. Eye donation is a relatively simple and painless process for the donor’s family, and can be done regardless of the donor’s age, health, or quality of vision, as long as the corneas are healthy.
In addition, many people hesitate to donate eyes due to several myths. Below are some myths that have been debunked that can help people make a better decision.
Myth: You can donate your eyes while you are alive
Made: It is a common fact that many people donate their kidneys or part of their liver when they are alive, however, that is not the case with eye donation. You can donate your eyes only after your death. You can make a commitment to do so while you are alive.
Myth: Your vision could be affected during your next birth
Made: There is no truth to this. One does not know when the next baby will be born and therefore one should not hesitate to donate one’s eyes. Surprisingly, this is also one of the main reasons why people do not donate their eyes.
Myth: Eyes can be donated at any time after death
Made: Donor eyes must be removed within 6 hours of death. It is important that the donor’s body is kept in a suitable environment.
Myth: Eye donation can disfigure the face
Made: Eye donation does not disfigure the face. During the process of removing the corneas, the space is replaced by a shell and the eyes close. This makes the face look normal and there is no disfigurement.
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