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Department of EYE BANK

Overview

The value of anything is realized only when it is lost or is not available. 1.1 million people, majority of them young adults realize the value of sight because they do not have it. Fortunately their eye sight can be restored. The sight lost due to opaque cornea can be restored by replacing the opaque cornea with clear cornea and the eye donation movement and eye banking are striving to bridge the gap between availability and requirement. Eye banks are the institutions responsible for collecting (harvesting) and processing donor corneas,  for distributing them to trained corneal graft surgeons.
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Who We Are

Our eye bank is one of the biggest, busiest and most well equipped in North India, with the latest state-of the-art equipment.

SCEH Eye Bank is registered under the Transplantation of Human organ Act (THOA) 1994 (42 of 1994), Government of India and we are a lifetime member of Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI).

Our dedicated team of professionals are committed to restoring hope and vision for patients suffering from corneal dieases like infections, opacities, degenerations and dystrophies, trauma, and Keratoconus.

We conduct evaluations and investigations to ensure high quality corneal tissue for transplantation, research and education. We are equipped with latest technology and unwavering compassion to honor the legacy of the donors and emperor the recipients to regain vision.

Eye Bank Collection Data for year 2022

0
HCRP Collection
0
Vrindavan
0
Alwar
0
Sonipat CCRP

Our growth over the years

No Data Found

No Data Found

Eye Bank Transplants data for year 2022

SCEH

Outside

Total

958

527

1485

Our Experts

manisha
Dr. Manisha Acharya
Director - Cornea Services (SCEH Network) & Director - SCEH Eye Bank
Mr. Surender Dixit
Ms. Rakhi Nathawat

Our Accreditation

We are accredited by NABH and affiliated with EBAI

Commonly asked questions

Eye Donation is an act of charity purely for the benefit of the society and is totally voluntary. Eye Donation is done after death. The Eye donation of the deceased can be authorized by the Next of Kin even if the deceased did not pledge his /her eyes before death.

The Eyes, which are received through such magnanimous gestures, are of great benefit to the society. The front clear and transparent tissue of the eye called Cornea can be used to restore vision to corneal blind persons. The other portions of the eye are also used for training and research purposes to develop cures for some of the common eye diseases.

Corneal blindness occurs when the cornea becomes cloudy, resulting in reduced or lost vision. This can be caused by accidents, infections, industrial incidents, or even malnutrition.

Yes, Removing the damaged Cornea and replacing it with a healthy cornea by surgery can cure corneal blindness.

The cornea be removed from a deceased person within six -eight hours of death and can be used for surgery. The eyes which could ultimately be consigned to flames or buried can restore vision of two patients.

There are 1.1 million people suffering from corneal blindness. Majority of the 1.1 million are young adults who have spend long blind years even though they have a cure.

To become an eye donor, one should inform their close family members of their intentions. After passing away, family members can contact the nearest eye bank to fulfill the donor’s wishes.

Eye banks, charitable organizations without profit motives, facilitate the removal, processing, evaluation, and distribution of donated eyes to those in need.

Worries about misuse are unfounded as eye banks adhere to strict regulations under the Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994, and the government regularly inspects them.

Contrary to misconceptions, eye donation is supported by all religions and scriptures, making it a universally endorsed act of compassion.

Steps to follow for eye donation

Contacting an eye bank is easy, as a dedicated number (1919) has been assigned to them. By calling this number, information about eye donation can be obtained, and the eye bank’s team will be dispatched to collect the eyes.

The procedure for eye donation is simple and quick, taking about 15 to 20 minutes. When contacted, the eye bank personnel give the required instructions.Precautions such as switching off fans, raising the head with a pillow, and placing a wet cloth over the closed eyelids are taken during the process.
The eye bank team go to the house where death has taken place or to the hospital where death happened and remove the eyes there. After the removal of the eyes, there is no disfigurement, as the eye bank team properly closes the eyes with an artificial eye or a plastic shield. It does not delay funeral arrangements.

Switch Off Fans and Use Air Conditioner (if available)
Elevate the Head with a Pillow
Apply Wet Clean Cloth over Closed Eyelids
Ensure Proper Closure of Eyelids
Keep a Copy of the Death Certificate Ready
Provide Consent and Blood Samples

Any individual, regardless of age or medical history, can donate eyes, including those who wear spectacles or have undergone cataract surgery.

Patient Stories

Education

Jagat Singh Eye bank Training Academy
Name of Training No. of Trainees
Tissue Recovery technician training
33
Eye Donation Counsellor ( EDC)
3
Tissue Evaluation technician
7
Eye Bank Observation program
1
Eye Bank Medical Director
3
AMG Training
3
Cornea transplant coordinator
1
PK assistant observation program
1
DSAEK, AMG preparation workshop
16
Total Number of Trainee
68

Achievements and Awards

Recipient of 2016 BMJ South Asia Quality Improvement award

Recipient of 2022 A P Sah Rolling Trophy for the Best Practice Eye Bank in north India by Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI)

FAQ's for Eye Donation

eye-test

Eye Donation is an act of charity purely for the benefit of the society and is totally voluntary. Eye Donation is done after death. The Eye donation of the deceased can be authorized by the Next of Kin even if the deceased did not pledge his /her eyes before death.

The Eyes, which are received through such magnanimous gestures, are of great benefit to the society. The front clear and transparent tissue of the eye called Cornea can be used to restore vision to corneal blind persons. The other portions of the eye are also used for training and research purposes to develop cures for some of the common eye diseases.

The Cornea is the clear tissue covering the front of the eye. Vision will be dramatically reduced or lost if the cornea becomes cloudy. The loss of vision is referred to as corneal blindness.

he Cornea can get damaged through accidents. Children while playing with bows and arrows or sharp objects can accidentally damage their cornea. It can also happen to elders. Some of the industrial causes are chemical burns, flying debris or road accidents. The Cornea can get damaged due to infections and malnutrition also.

Yes, Removing the damaged Cornea and replacing it with a healthy cornea by surgery can cure corneal blindness.

Fortunately cornea can be removed from a deceased person within six -eight hours of death and can be used for surgery. The eyes which could ultimately be consigned to flames or buried can restore vision of two patients.

There are 1.1 million people suffering from corneal blindness. Majority of the 1.1 million are young adults who have spend long blind years even though they have a cure.

Eyes are removed only after death. A person wishing to donate eyes should make close family members aware of their intentions. After the death of the person it is the family members who can inform the family members who can inform the nearest eye bank to fulfill the wishes of the deceased are authorize removal of the eyes if somebody from an eye bank approaches the family.

An Eye Bank is a charitable organization without any profit motive. They are purely functioning for the benefit of the society. The eye banks facilitate removal of eyes, processing of eyes and evaluation of the eyes and distribute them to the needy.

Eye Banks are covered under Transplantation of Human Organs Act 1994. It is a criminal offense to buy or sell organs. The Government issues certificates of registration to eye banks and has a provision to inspect them regularly. In case a complaint is filed against any eye bank, the government can take legal action.

A special number 1919 (BSNL) has been allotted for eye banks. Most of the eye banks all over the country have this number. Once information for eye donation is given here, the eye bank sends its team to collect the eyes. By calling this number details about eye donation can also be had.

Call 1919 or the local telephone directory usually lists the phone number of eye banks under essential services. The eye bank personnel would give directions and precautions to be taken. The process of removing eyes does not take more than 15 to 20 minutes. The eye bank team can come either go to the house where death has taken place or to the hospital where death happened and remove the eyes there. It would not delay funeral arrangements.

Switch off fans and switch on Air Conditioner ( if available) Raise the head with the pillow. Place wet clean cloth over the closed eyelids. Please ensure that the eyelids are properly closed. Keep a copy of the death certificate ready. The eye bank team which would have a trained technician or a registered medical practitioner would remove the eyes after taking consent on a printed from and also take a blood sample.

There are two methods adopted for removal of eyes. Some eye banks would remove the whole eyeball. The eye bank team after removal of eyes would properly close the eyes after putting the artificial eye so there is no disfigurement. The second method is removal of only the clear transparent tissue. Here also a plastic shield is placed in place of the tissue and no difference can be noticed.

All religions endorse eye donation. There are numerous examples in our traditions and scriptures which endorse eye and organ donation. A part of the body which would be consumed by flames and reduced to ashes or which is buried and allowed to decay and disintegrate cannot be put to a better use than restoring vision to the needy!!

Anybody of any age can donate eyes. Even if the deceased has medical history of hypertension, diabetes, asthma, tuberculosis etc.

Even spectacle wearers and people who have undergone cataract operation can donate eyes.

Why SCEH

We have expertise in procuring, processing, evaluating, and preserving corneal tissue following prescribed protocols which is vital to ensure the best possible outcomes for the surgeries performed using this precious gift.

We prioritize a prompt response to the donation calls and our compassionate and meticulous grief counselors provide emotional support to the grieving families during the difficult decision-making process of eye donation. Their understanding and empathy can make the experience less overwhelming, allowing families to find comfort in knowing that their loved one’s selfless act will bring hope and light to others in need.

We strive to maximize the impact of eye donation and enhance lives of those in need for corneal transplant at the same time honor the sanctity and generous donation by the deceased and their families.

For queries about eye donation call 011 43524444 email: sceh@sceh.net

SCEH Eye Bank’s network: