Eye donation in India: current scenario and way forward
The article examines the current state of eye donation in India, noting that while collection rates are rising, they still fall far short of the demand for corneal transplants. It highlights the roles of government, NGOs, and private hospitals in improving retrieval networks and public awareness.
Why it matters
It addresses a critical public health issue, emphasizing the need for systemic improvements to reduce preventable blindness in India.
Eye donation is said to be one of the most meaningful forms of donation, as a single donor can potentially restore sight to two individuals through corneal transplantation. India has made considerable progress in eye banking; the country currently has 396 functional eye banks, and corneal collections increased from 62,370 in 2022–23 to 69,848 in 2024–25. However, the need for donor tissue substantially exceeds its availability. There are approximately 2 million corneally blind people in our country, but only 40,000 corneal transplants performed per year.
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