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Rachel V Thomas

India Meets Only 25–30% Of Its Corneal Transplant Needs: Why Eye Donation Matters

India has the medical expertise and infrastructure to perform significantly more <span>corneal transplants</span>, but a shortage of suitable donor corneas continues to leave thousands of patients waiting for treatment.

While an estimated 1 lakh <span>corneal</span> transplants are needed annually, only 25,000–30,000 are performed, meeting just 25–30% of the estimated need, said health experts as part of the <span>41st National Eye Donation Fortnight</span>.

The shortage is also reflected in the availability of suitable donor tissue. In 2023–24, more than 49,000 corneas were retrieved in India, but only around 27,394 were considered suitable for transplantation.

<span>Corneal blindness</span> is a significant cause of treatable vision loss in India. “There is too much burden of corneal blindness in India, which is a leading cause of treatable blindness. Almost 1.1 to 1.3 million people are affected because of this corneal blindness,” said Dr Anita Gangar, Consultant Corneal Transplant Surgeon, Eye Department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, in a video posted on X.

The cornea is the transparent front surface of the eye that allows light to enter. When it becomes damaged, scarred or opaque, vision can be severely affected.

A corneal transplant replaces the damaged cornea with clear donor tissue, helping restore the eye’s optical pathway and vision.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/worlds-first-live-ai-assisted-brain-surgery-saves-patients-sight-how-does-the-technology-work-article-155993127" data-type="tilCustomLink">World’s First Live AI-Assisted Brain Surgery Saves Patient’s Sight: How Does The Technology Work?</a>

<h4>Common Causes of Corneal Blindness</h4>

<ul><li>Corneal infections</li><li>Eye trauma</li><li>Surgery-related complications</li><li>Hereditary conditions</li></ul>

<h2>Why Timely <span rel="noindex">Eye Donation</span> Matters</h2>

The availability of donor tissue remains a major constraint despite advances in corneal surgery.

“Corneal blindness is among the significant causes of vision loss that can potentially be treated through transplantation, yet thousands of patients continue to face a long and uncertain wait for suitable donor tissue,” said Padma Shri Prof. Dr Jeevan Titiyal, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, at a press conference held in New Delhi.

The experts added that increasing eye donation requires not only greater public awareness but also stronger retrieval systems, efficient eye-bank networks and better coordination between hospitals and eye banks.

Timely retrieval is particularly important for preserving donor corneal tissue. Families are encouraged to contact an eye bank as soon as possible after the death of a loved one, with retrieval generally targeted within approximately six hours under appropriate conditions. 

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/diabetics-must-undergo-retinal-screening-to-protect-eye-health-aiims-doctors-article-155711669" data-type="tilCustomLink">Diabetics Must Undergo Retinal Screening To Protect Eye Health: AIIMS Doctors</a>

<strong>Myth</strong>: Diabetes or high blood pressure prevents eye donation.

<strong>Fact</strong>: These conditions do not automatically rule out donation. The medical team assesses tissue suitability after death.

<strong>Myth</strong>: Eye donation will disfigure the face.

<strong>Fact</strong>: Corneal retrieval is performed respectfully by trained professionals and does not cause visible facial disfigurement.

<strong>Myth</strong>: People who wear spectacles cannot donate their eyes.

<strong>Fact</strong>: Wearing spectacles or contact lenses does not automatically prevent donation. Eligibility is determined after death.

<strong>Myth</strong>: Only young people can donate.

<strong>Fact</strong>: People of different ages may be eligible, depending on the suitability of the donated tissue.

<h2>Advances in Corneal Transplantation</h2>

Corneal transplantation has evolved from conventional full-thickness procedures to more selective, layer-specific techniques. In suitable cases, surgeons can replace only the affected portion of the cornea, allowing for more targeted treatment and faster visual rehabilitation.

“Advances in corneal surgery now allow us to treat specific layers of the cornea, offering more targeted treatment and faster visual rehabilitation for appropriately selected patients. However, these advances can translate into better outcomes only when suitable donor tissue is available,” said Dr Prabjot Kaur, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital.

<h2>41st <span rel="noindex">National Eye Donation Fortnight</span></h2>

The 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight is being observed from 25 August to 8 September 2026.  The 15-day nationwide awareness campaign, observed in India since 1985, aims to encourage eye donation and help bridge the gap between the demand for and availability of donor corneas.

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India has the medical expertise and infrastructure to perform significantly more corneal transplants, but a shortage of suitable donor corneas continues to leave thousands of patients waiting for treatment.While an estimated 1 lakh corneal transplants are needed annually, only 25,000–30,000 are performed, meeting just 25–30% of the estimated need, said health experts as part of the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight.The shortage is also reflected in the availability of suitable donor tissue. In 2023–24, more than 49,000 corneas were retrieved in India, but only around 27,394 were considered suitable for transplantation.Why Corneal Transplants MatterCorneal blindness is a significant cause of treatable vision loss in India. “There is too much burden of corneal blindness in India, which is a leading cause of treatable blindness. Almost 1.1 to 1.3 million people are affected because of this corneal blindness,” said Dr Anita Gangar, Consultant Corneal Transplant Surgeon, Eye Department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, in a video posted on X.The cornea is the transparent front surface of the eye that allows light to enter. When it becomes damaged, scarred or opaque, vision can be severely affected.A corneal transplant replaces the damaged cornea with clear donor tissue, helping restore the eye’s optical pathway and vision.Also read: World’s First Live AI-Assisted Brain Surgery Saves Patient’s Sight: How Does The Technology Work?Common Causes of Corneal BlindnessCorneal infectionsEye traumaSurgery-related complicationsHereditary conditionsWhy Timely Eye Donation MattersThe availability of donor tissue remains a major constraint despite advances in corneal surgery.“Corneal blindness is among the significant causes of vision loss that can potentially be treated through transplantation, yet thousands of patients continue to face a long and uncertain wait for suitable donor tissue,” said Padma Shri Prof. Dr Jeevan Titiyal, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital, at a press conference held in New Delhi.The experts added that increasing eye donation requires not only greater public awareness but also stronger retrieval systems, efficient eye-bank networks and better coordination between hospitals and eye banks.Timely retrieval is particularly important for preserving donor corneal tissue. Families are encouraged to contact an eye bank as soon as possible after the death of a loved one, with retrieval generally targeted within approximately six hours under appropriate conditions. Read More: Diabetics Must Undergo Retinal Screening To Protect Eye Health: AIIMS DoctorsEye Donation: Myths vs FactsMyth: Diabetes or high blood pressure prevents eye donation.Fact: These conditions do not automatically rule out donation. The medical team assesses tissue suitability after death.Myth: Eye donation will disfigure the face.Fact: Corneal retrieval is performed respectfully by trained professionals and does not cause visible facial disfigurement.Myth: People who wear spectacles cannot donate their eyes.Fact: Wearing spectacles or contact lenses does not automatically prevent donation. Eligibility is determined after death.Myth: Only young people can donate.Fact: People of different ages may be eligible, depending on the suitability of the donated tissue.Advances in Corneal TransplantationCorneal transplantation has evolved from conventional full-thickness procedures to more selective, layer-specific techniques. In suitable cases, surgeons can replace only the affected portion of the cornea, allowing for more targeted treatment and faster visual rehabilitation.“Advances in corneal surgery now allow us to treat specific layers of the cornea, offering more targeted treatment and faster visual rehabilitation for appropriately selected patients. However, these advances can translate into better outcomes only when suitable donor tissue is available,” said Dr Prabjot Kaur, Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital.41st National Eye Donation FortnightThe 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight is being observed from 25 August to 8 September 2026.  The 15-day nationwide awareness campaign, observed in India since 1985, aims to encourage eye donation and help bridge the gap between the demand for and availability of donor corneas.

india meets only 25–30% of its corneal transplant needs: why eye donation matters

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