FACTS AND MYTHS ABOUT DONATING EYES

Myth - Eyes can be removed out of living human beings.

Fact - Eyes are removed only after death.

Myth - Eyes can be donated even by a live person.

Fact - Eyes can only be pledged by a live person. Eyes can be donated only after death.

Myth - Removal of eyes causes disfigurement of the face.

Fact - Removal of eyes does not produce any disfigurement of the face.

Myth - Eye donation interferes with, or delays customary final rites.

Fact - Eye donation does not interfere with or delay final rites, as the corneal excision procedure takes less than 20 minutes.

Myth - Eyes of aged donors are not acceptable.

Fact - All donor eyes are acceptable irrespective of the donor’s age, including eyes of premature/ still-born babies.

Myth - Indian eyes are not good to be used for corneal transplantation.

Fact - Eyes of any deceased person anywhere in the world can be used for corneal transplantation following evaluation.

Myth - An entire eye can be transplanted.

Fact - Only the cornea is used for transplantation.

Myth - Corneal transplantation is an experimental procedure.

Fact - Corneal transplantation is a proven, routinely performed surgery and is a successful procedure.

Myth - Corneal transplantation is not effective and successful in Indian eyes.

Fact - Corneal transplantation is effective in all eyes, if performed under optimal conditions.

Myth - Human eyes can be bought or sold.

Fact - Selling or buying of human eyes is illegal.

Myth - Only those who have pledged their eyes can donate them after death.

Fact - Pledging of eyes is not important, because even in the case of a pledgee, the consent of the family member is essential, without which an eye cannot be removed.