Facts & 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 30 minutes.
Myth : Eyes of aged donors are not acceptable.
Fact : All donors’ 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 pledge, the consent of the family member is essential, without which an eye cannot be removed.
