EYE BANK AND KERATOPLASTY (Corneal Grafting)

This Community supported programme is scheduled to be started later this year. Corneal grafting is done in those cases where the cornea (the transparent portion in the front section position of the eye) has become opaque to the disease or injury. The cornea to be transplanted has to be donated by an individual, after his death. The best results are when the transplantation is done with a cornea that is removed from the cadaver and keratoplasty done within six to twelve hours. For this, persons are requested to register their names at the Eye Hospital, by filling up and signing a “will” for voluntary donation of their eyes for the purpose. For this registration has started at the Hospital, and the form of “will” is available at the Hospital on request.

This community supported program is slated to be started shortly. Corneal grafting is done in those cases where the cornea has become opaque due to certain diseases. There are two types of keratoplasty:-lamellar keratoplasty or partial thickness corneal grafting and penetrating keratoplasty or full thickness corneal grafting. The cornea could be transplanted only on donation in accordance with a person’s wish.