Kathmandu, December 30

A mass condolence ceremony was organised at the Eye Bank,Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology on the memory of the deceased cornea donors today.

Nearly 70,000 people have pledged to donate their cornea to the Eye Bank at TIO posthumously, while around 12,500 people have regained their sight after undergoing corneal transplant, so far, at the hospital.

Shankha Narayan Twayana, manager at the Eye Bank, said the programme was organised to pay respects to the deceased cornea donors and to inspire more people to donate their cornea.

Sabin Bogati, 17, a 12th grader, was very happy for having undergone corneal transplant seven years ago. “I was unable to see things from birth. Now I can see the world as well as pursue my studies easily,” he shared, adding, “I have got a new life after someone’s contribution. I have also made up my mind to donate my cornea.”

Speaking at the programme, Dr Bandita Karki, who is currently working in Bangladesh said her vision was not clear before she underwent corneal transplant. “I had been using thick contact lens to see things clearly but the transplant has helped me so much with my vision, with my studies and with my career prospects,” she said.

In the fiscal 2016-17, 709 people had donated their cornea. This year, 857 people have already received cornea transplant.