1. What is an eye bank?

It is an organization that deals with the collection, storage and distribution of donor corneas for the purpose of corneal transplant.

2. What is cornea donation?

Cornea donation means people pledging today, to donate their cornea after death, to be used
for corneal transplant ope rations, which restore vision to the patients of corneal blindness.
The cornea of the deceased person, who has not pledged his cornea, can also be donated by
the next of his kin. Cornea are never removed from a living person. They are always donated after death.

3. What is corneal transplant?

The cornea is the transparent front part of the eye that covers the iris, pupil, and anterior
chamber. In diseases the cornea becomes hazy and opaque thus causing partial or total loss
of sight. In corneal trnasplant this diseased and opaque cornea is replaced by a healthy transparent cornea taken from a donor cornea.

4. How does the eye bank function?

The Eye Bank collects the cornea of voluntary registered cornea donors after their death, of
those deceased persons when enlightened relatives agree to donate the cornea as a service
to humanity, after obtaining the consent from the next of kin. These cornea are processed by
the Eye Bank and are supplied to eye surgeons for corneal trnasplant and other sight restoring operations.

5. What does religion say in regard to cornea donation?

All religions preach service to mankind even after death. You can serve your religion through the Eye Bank.

6. How do people donate their cornea?

They sign and mail the voluntary Cornea pledge form obtainable from the Eye Bank or website. They receive back some instructions and an Cornea donor pocket card to be kept by
them. Eyes of a deceased person can also be donated, by next of kin, by contacting the Eye Bank after the death.

7. How soon must cornea be removed?

Cornea should be removed as soon as possible, preferably within 6 to 8 hours of death.

8. How does the eye bank collect donated corneas?

The Eye Bank is informed (can be contacted day or night by telephone, SMS or e-mail) by t
he next of kin or the physician immediately after the death of the donor. The Eye Bank then takes care of all arrangements without delay.