Collector Flags Off Eye Donation Awareness Walk in Coimbatore

Coimbatore: Collector Flags Off Eye Donation Awareness Walk in Coimbatore

For many living with corneal blindness, the simple act of seeing their own face or the world around them again remains a distant dream. With the aim of turning that dream into reality, an eye donation awareness walk titled “Walk for Vision” was organised in Coimbatore to encourage more people to pledge their eyes and help restore sight to those in need.

Coimbatore District Collector Pavankumar G Giriyappanavar flagged off the walk and also joined the participants in spreading the message of eye donation.

The programme was organised as part of National Eye Donation Fortnight, observed from August 25 to September 8, under the theme “Be the Light in Someone’s Darkness.” The awareness initiative was associated with the Tamil Nadu Ophthalmic Association (TNOA), Coimbatore Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons and Indian Medical Association – Coimbatore.

Speaking to reporters, Dr Sreesh Kumar Kodavoor, Associate Medical Director of Coimbatore The Eye Foundation Hospital, said there continues to be a significant gap between the number of patients awaiting corneal transplantation and the availability of donated corneal tissues.

He said wider awareness and more people pledging to donate their eyes could help bridge this gap and give people living with corneal blindness an opportunity to regain their vision.

Dr Sreesh Kumar said one eye donation can potentially help restore vision in up to four people, as different layers of the donated cornea can be used for different patients depending on their medical requirements.