Eye donation allows donated corneas to be transplanted into people with corneal blindness, potentially restoring useful vision. Anyone considering eye donation should pledge their wishes and discuss them with their family in advance.
I have placed donor corneas in eyes that could no longer see. Each transplant involves extraordinary precision. Tiny sutures, delicate tissue, and hours of careful work can make the difference between darkness and the possibility of useful vision.
I no longer perform corneal transplantation. Glaucoma took over my practice years ago. But I trained in cornea first, and some things stay with you.
Eye donation is one of them.
Why eye donation matters
Corneal blindness is different from many other causes of blindness. When the cornea becomes severely damaged or opaque, the eye may otherwise be healthy, but light simply cannot pass through it properly.
For some patients, a corneal transplant can restore useful vision.
India has a substantial need for donated corneas. Government data indicate that around 1 lakh corneas are needed each year, while 69,848 were collected in 2024–25. The gap is still significant.
And unlike many people imagine, eye donation is not about giving your eyes while you are alive. It happens after death.
Who can donate?
Many people can donate their corneas, including people who:
- wear spectacles
- have had cataract or other eye surgery
- have diabetes or high blood pressure
- are older adults
Age or wearing glasses does not automatically prevent eye donation. The eye bank team decides whether the donated tissue is suitable for transplantation after appropriate medical assessment.
Even if you have not pledged your eyes during your lifetime, your family can still consent to donation after your death.
What happens after death?
This is where timing matters.
Corneas need to be retrieved as soon as possible after death. The family should contact an eye bank or the appropriate donation service immediately.
The trained team obtains consent, assesses the donor and retrieves the tissue respectfully. The procedure is designed to cause minimal disruption to the family and does not disfigure the face.
The donated corneas are then assessed by the eye bank. Suitable tissue may be used for transplantation; tissue that is not suitable for transplant may still contribute to medical education or research.
Will eye donation change how the person looks?
No.
The eyes are retrieved respectfully, and the eyelids are closed afterwards. Eye donation does not cause visible disfigurement of the face.
This is one of the common fears families have, and it is important to know that donation can be carried out with dignity and respect.
What should a family do?
If someone has expressed a wish to donate their eyes, talk about it before it becomes an emergency.
After death:
- Contact the eye bank or donation service immediately.
- Keep the eyes gently closed.
- Keep the head slightly elevated.
- Follow the instructions given by the eye bank team.
- Do not delay while trying to make arrangements on your own.
The most important thing is simply to make the call quickly.
How can I pledge my eyes?
You can register your intention to donate after death through the national organ and tissue donation system.
Register your donation pledge through NOTTO
You can also speak to your family about your decision. This matters enormously because, at the time of death, the family will need to know your wishes and help facilitate the donation.
For information and assistance with organ and tissue donation, NOTTO’s 24×7 toll-free helpline is 1800-11-4770.
What happens during the harvesting of eyes, or eye donation?
A a team of trained personnel, an eye doctor, and a grief counsellor will reach the house or hospital to collect the donation. This team of medical professionals will first talk to the family and take a proper, written, informed consent. Only after that they proceed with the eye donation. They will also ask some questions regarding medical and family history of the donor.
The team will work quickly so as to not delay any funeral arrangements. The process takes less than ten minutes from start to finish. The team will work in privacy to harvest the donated eyes under strict aseptic conditions, very respectfully.
The team realizes and respects the act of altruism, and always are incredibly respectful of the families’ wishes. They clean the area within minutes, and harvest the eyes quickly. They also ensure that the area is cleaned promptly, with minimum inconvenience to the family.
The grief counsellor will help the family with any last minute hesitations and questions. They will also thank the family for their act of charity, on behalf of the team. After this, the team will promptly transport the donated tissue to the eye bank. Usually, the waiting list for eye transplants is long, and therefore, most corneas are utilized within three to four days.
Donated corneas can be used for transplant for up to 14 days, but most transplants are carried out promptly because of the extremely long waiting list. The identities of both the donor and the recipient remain confidential.
A final thought
I have watched a previously blind eye begin to see through a transplanted cornea. I have seen the smile.
There is something profoundly moving about that. A person’s life ends. Their generosity does not have to.
If you are willing, pledge your eyes. And more importantly, tell your family.
Because when the time comes, there may be only a few hours to turn that decision into someone else’s sight.
Many years ago, I had written an article on eye donation and Islam. You may want to read it here.
About the Author
This article was written by Dr Shibal Bhartiya, fellowship-trained glaucoma specialist and Mayo Clinic Research Collaborator, Clinical Director at Marengo Asia Hospitals, Gurugram, known for ethical, patient-centred glaucoma care and independent glaucoma second opinions. She is also the Program Director for Community Outreach & Wellness; and for the Marengo Asia International Institute of Neuro and Spine.
She has published peer-reviewed research on glaucoma management, examining how treatment decisions should balance medical evidence, patient preferences, and long-term vision outcomes.
As Editor-in-Chief of Clinical and Experimental Vision and Eye Research and Executive Editor of the Journal of Current Glaucoma Practice (Pubmed Indexed, official journal of the International Society of Glaucoma Surgery), Dr Shibal Bhartiya brings editorial and research depth to every clinical decision. Her 200+ publications, including 90+ PubMed-indexed publications and 28 edited textbooks span glaucoma biology, surgical outcomes, health equity, and emerging diagnostics.
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