Eye Donation Fortnight (25th August – 8th September)

“Gift Sight. Give Light. Live On.”
Published by LifeOnPlus | Organ & Tissue Awareness Series

Did you know that just one eye donor can restore vision to two blind people?

From August 25th to September 8th, India observes Eye Donation Fortnight, a powerful campaign to raise awareness about corneal blindness and the life-changing impact of eye donation.

At LifeOnPlus, we believe in health beyond the body — we believe in legacy, impact, and hope. Eye donation is one of the most generous, selfless acts one can do — even after life.

Why Eye Donation Matters?
Over 1.2 million people in India are corneally blind.
Children, young adults, and the elderly are all affected.
Sadly, only 60,000 corneas are donated annually — far less than the need.
90% of corneal blindness is curable with timely transplant — but only if donors come forward.

What Is Corneal Blindness?
Corneal blindness is the loss of vision due to damage or disease of the cornea — the transparent front part of the eye. This is not related to retina or optic nerve issues and is completely reversible with corneal transplant surgery.

Who Can Donate Eyes?
Almost anyone can pledge to donate their eyes:
1. Age no bar
2. Even those with poor eyesight, spectacles, or cataracts
3. People with diabetes or hypertension can also donate
4. Only people with infectious diseases like HIV, hepatitis, or COVID at death are excluded

Eyes are retrieved only after death, and the process is non-disfiguring, respectful, and must be completed within 6 hours.

How LifeOnPlus Supports the Eye Donation Movement
At LifeOnPlus, we’ve made it easier for individuals and families to become aware, pledge, and act:
✅ Digital Eye Donation Pledge Card via the app
✅ QR Smart Health Card storing organ donation wishes
✅ Awareness sessions at wellness camps and schools
✅ Partnerships with local eye banks and NGOs
✅ Emergency contact notifications to guide families at the right time

Myths vs Facts
✅ Myth   ❌ Fact
✅ Eye donation disfigures the face ❌ Completely false. Only the cornea is removed — no scars, no marks.
✅ Only young people can donate ❌ Age doesn’t matter. Quality of cornea does.
✅ My religion doesn’t allow it ❌ Most major religions support organ donation as an act of compassion.
✅ I wear glasses so I can’t donate ❌ Refractive errors don’t affect the cornea’s suitability.

How Can You Pledge?
1. Log in to the LifeOnPlus app
2. Navigate to ‘Organ Donation’ section
3. Click ‘Pledge Eye Donation’
4. Update emergency contact and preferred eye bank if available
5. Get your digital donor card
Share your pledge with your family — they are the ones who will act on your behalf.

Final Thought
In a world filled with darkness, you can bring light.
In death, you can give life.
In silence, you can help someone see again.
This Eye Donation Fortnight, let’s not just raise awareness — let’s take action.

Pledge your sight. Change two lives. Live on through someone else’s vision.
LifeOnPlus — Healthcare That Outlives You.