Will the quality of medical care be affected if one is known to be a Donor?
Absolutely not. Strict laws protect the potential donor. Legal guidelines must be followed before death can be certified. A Physician certifying a patient’s death cannot be in any way involved with eye procurement or with the transplant.
What are the benefits to a donor family?
In addition to fulfilling your loved one’s wishes, donation can offer comfort to a grieving family. Just knowing that a small part of our loved one is going in life, helping someone see this world is a consolation, something to hold on to in times of sorrow.
How can I become a donor?
The most important action you can take is to tell your family and legal representative. Most states now require that families be offered the option of donation when a loved one dies. Families may give consent for donation. It is most helpful if they know how you feel in advance. A donor card can serve as an indication to your family, your legal representative and hospitals of your intention to be an eye donor.
You can help…
• By deciding to donate eyes, and giving someone the most precious gift of sight. • By encouraging your family members to donate. • Being a member of the eye donation centre • Calling the nearest eye bank immediately when a death occurs in the family • Motivating friends and relatives of the deceased to donate eyes • Monetary support to the patient or to the eye bank.
Facts about eye donation
• Eyes can be donated only after death • Eyes must be removed within 4 – 6 hours after death • Eyes can be removed by a registered medical practitioner only. • The eye bank team will visit the home of the deceased or the hospital to remove the eyes. • Eye removal does not delay the funeral since the entire procedure takes 20-30 minutes only • A small quantity of blood will be drawn to rule out communicable diseases • Eye retrieval does not cause disfigurement • Religions are for eye donation • The identities of both the donor and the recipient are kept confidential
Important points
(To donate eyes, the following procedures should be done by the relatives of the deceased) • Close the eye lids of the deceased • Switch off the fan • Raise the head of the deceased slightly by placing a pillow underneath • Contact the nearest eye bank as quickly as possible. • Give the correct address with specific landmarks and telephone number to enable the eye bank team locate the place easily • If the death certificate from the physician is available, keep it ready • Eye donation can be done only with the written consent of the next of kin in the presence of two witnesses
After eye donation…
• The donor’s family receives a certificate of appreciation from the eye bank • The eyes are taken to the eye bank and evaluated by a trained eye bank staff • Tests are carried out and the tissue is sent to the corneal surgeon • The waiting list is referred and the recipient is called for corneal transplant • Corneal transplant is performed • Periodic follow-up of the recipient is done over time to ensure that the graft is successful
Services of the eye bank
• Availability of trained staff round the clock to attend the calls • Evaluate and provide quality corneas to corneal surgeons • Enable corneal research using eyes unsuitable for grafts, to find newer techniques, improve preservation methods and train corneal surgeons • Increase public awareness on eye donation and eye banking • Train doctors in eye removal procedures • Develop and establish a network of eye donation centres
Absolutely not. Strict laws protect the potential donor. Legal guidelines must be followed before death can be certified. A Physician certifying a patient’s death cannot be in any way involved with eye procurement or with the transplant.
What are the benefits to a donor family?
In addition to fulfilling your loved one’s wishes, donation can offer comfort to a grieving family. Just knowing that a small part of our loved one is going in life, helping someone see this world is a consolation, something to hold on to in times of sorrow.
How can I become a donor?
The most important action you can take is to tell your family and legal representative. Most states now require that families be offered the option of donation when a loved one dies. Families may give consent for donation. It is most helpful if they know how you feel in advance. A donor card can serve as an indication to your family, your legal representative and hospitals of your intention to be an eye donor.
You can help…
• By deciding to donate eyes, and giving someone the most precious gift of sight. • By encouraging your family members to donate. • Being a member of the eye donation centre • Calling the nearest eye bank immediately when a death occurs in the family • Motivating friends and relatives of the deceased to donate eyes • Monetary support to the patient or to the eye bank.
Facts about eye donation
• Eyes can be donated only after death • Eyes must be removed within 4 – 6 hours after death • Eyes can be removed by a registered medical practitioner only. • The eye bank team will visit the home of the deceased or the hospital to remove the eyes. • Eye removal does not delay the funeral since the entire procedure takes 20-30 minutes only • A small quantity of blood will be drawn to rule out communicable diseases • Eye retrieval does not cause disfigurement • Religions are for eye donation • The identities of both the donor and the recipient are kept confidential
Important points
(To donate eyes, the following procedures should be done by the relatives of the deceased) • Close the eye lids of the deceased • Switch off the fan • Raise the head of the deceased slightly by placing a pillow underneath • Contact the nearest eye bank as quickly as possible. • Give the correct address with specific landmarks and telephone number to enable the eye bank team locate the place easily • If the death certificate from the physician is available, keep it ready • Eye donation can be done only with the written consent of the next of kin in the presence of two witnesses
After eye donation…
• The donor’s family receives a certificate of appreciation from the eye bank • The eyes are taken to the eye bank and evaluated by a trained eye bank staff • Tests are carried out and the tissue is sent to the corneal surgeon • The waiting list is referred and the recipient is called for corneal transplant • Corneal transplant is performed • Periodic follow-up of the recipient is done over time to ensure that the graft is successful
Services of the eye bank
• Availability of trained staff round the clock to attend the calls • Evaluate and provide quality corneas to corneal surgeons • Enable corneal research using eyes unsuitable for grafts, to find newer techniques, improve preservation methods and train corneal surgeons • Increase public awareness on eye donation and eye banking • Train doctors in eye removal procedures • Develop and establish a network of eye donation centres