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.