Eye donation: Demand-supply gap cause of concern

The Eye Bank at the Advanced Eye Centre at PGIMER, in collaboration with Lions Club Chandigarh Central, has launched the 40th National Eye Donation Fortnight from August 25 to September 8.

Despite consistent efforts, the demand for corneal transplants continues to far exceed supply.

In India, over 10 lakh people suffer from corneal blindness, with nearly 20,000 new cases added every year. At the PGI alone, nearly 2,000 patients await corneal transplant, while the centre receives only 400–500 corneas annually.

10 lakh corneally blind in india

• In 2024, PGI received 444 eye donations, 348 transplants done with 78% utilisation rate.
• From January-July 2025, a total of 280 donations received, 195 transplants done, with 70% utilisation rate.
• National context: Over 10 lakh people corneally blind in India; 20,000 new cases every year.
• PGI waitlist: Nearly 2,000 patients await corneal transplant.
• For eye donation, PGI has urged citizens to contact 24×7 helpline: 7087008200.

In 2024, PGIMER registered 444 eye donations and 348 corneal transplants, with a utilisation rate of 78 per cent. Advanced surgeries included 23 DSAEK (Descemet Stripping Endothelial Keratoplasty), 4 DMEK (Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty) and 5 DALK (Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty) procedures, while 31 Optical Penetrating Keratoplasty (PK) surgeries restored clear vision. More than 280 patients benefitted from therapeutic grafts.

Also in 2024, around 60-70 % donations were through Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme (HCRP). Voluntary donations came in support of Lions Club, Rotary Club, Bharat Vikas Parisad, Vishav Jagriti Mission and other organisations.

Ten eye donations were received along with organ donations in the past year.

Between January and July 2025, the PGI carried out 280 eye donations and 195 corneal transplants, slightly higher than the same period in 2024 — when 260 donations were received and 190 transplants were conducted.

Over the past five years, the highest number of transplants was recorded in 2022, with 367 transplants done utilising 86 per cent of donations.

However, the gap between requirement and availability persists. Awareness activities, including walks, talks, competitions and community outreach, are planned across schools, colleges, hospitals and public spaces during the fortnight.

Opening day event

A media conference was organised at the Advanced Eye Centre on the opening day, where Prof Surinder S Pandav, Head of Ophthalmology, along with Prof Amit Gupta, Prof Chintan Malhotra and Dr Parul Chawla Gupta, interacted with the media. The fortnight was officially inaugurated by PGIMER Director Prof Vivek Lal.

On this occasion, he presented appreciation certificates to three families who had recently donated the eyes of their loved ones to the PGIMER Eye Bank, acknowledging their invaluable contribution towards restoring vision.