Almost everyone can donate his or her eyes. Age do not prohibit you from becoming a donor. Donor tissue that can’t be used for transplant can, with consent, be used for medical education and research purposes. While taking a pledge during ones lifetime itself is a noble deed, it requires the support of the relatives or friends to carry out the wishes of eye donation of the deceased. They need to call up the Eye Bank immediately as the eye need to be removed within a maximum of six hours of death.

There are two very important steps you must take to become a donor. First, sign a donor card and carry it with you. Second, TALK TO YOUR FAMILY. You must let you family members know that you wish to be an eye donor. Unless your donor card is available at the time of death, your next of kin will be responsible for granting consent. It can be a difficult decision for them if your wishes are not known. Having a discussion about donation with your family is the first step in the effort to restore sight and save lives.

Who cannot donate their eyes?

Death due to unknown causes. Death due to infections caused viz. rabies, syphilis, infectious hepatitis, septicemia, and AIDS, cannot be a donor