Office of District Public Relations Officer, Mansa Eyes can be donated within 4 to 6 hours after death – Civil Surgeon
Mansa, 02 September 2025 Fact Recorder
Health Desk: The Health Department is observing Eye Donation Fortnight till September 8. Giving this information, Civil Surgeon Dr. Arvind Pal Singh said that every year from August 25 to September 8, the National Eye Donation Fortnight is observed.
He said that the aim of this fortnight is to spread awareness about corneal blindness and corneal transplant and to motivate people to pledge eye donation. During this period, paramedical staff, ASHA workers, and the mass media wing are involved in creating awareness among people.
As part of this campaign, today at District Civil Hospital Mansa, patients visiting OPD and Eye OPD were sensitized by Dr. Pallavi Menon, Eye Specialist.
Dr. Menon informed that corneal blindness is a major public health problem in India. An estimated 2.7 lakh donor eyes are required annually for 1 lakh corneal transplants, which is about four times more than the number of eyes currently available. She added that the huge gap between demand and supply of human eyes can only be overcome with the cooperation of the general public.
Explaining further, she said the cornea is the transparent outer layer of the eye through which light enters. Injuries, corneal trauma, infections (viral, bacterial, or fungal), malnutrition such as Vitamin A deficiency, or congenital disorders can damage the cornea, making it opaque and preventing light from focusing inside the eye—resulting in blindness. By replacing the opaque cornea with a transparent donor cornea through transplant, the person regains vision.
The Sub-group Education & Information Officer said that eyes must be donated within 4 to 6 hours after death. Forms for eye donation are available at nearby government hospitals, eye banks, all government hospitals, and medical colleges. During this fortnight, health workers and ASHA workers will also help people fill these forms. Online registration can also be done at: http://nhm.punjab.gov.in/eye_donation.
On this occasion, Ophthalmic Officer Abhishek Kumar, other staff members, and members of the general public were also present.
