Thejaswi U Poojary
Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Jun 10: "Expressing your wish to donate eyes can be done at any time; there is no age limit for pledging. What matters most is informing your family members about your decision so that your wish can be fulfilled after death," said Dr Sulatha Bhandary, professor and unit head, Medical Director of the Kasturba Hospital Eye Bank, department of ophthalmology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal.
Dr Sulatha Bhandary highlighted that the ideal time to donate eyes is within six hours of death. She encouraged people to take inspiration from several notable personalities who have donated their eyes, making a lasting impact on someone else's life. "It is a misconception that donating eyes in this life leads to blindness in the next life. This is purely a false belief," she added.
According to Dr Sulatha Bhandary, those who wish to donate eyes must inform the nearest eye bank after the person's death. A death certificate is mandatory to ensure that the cause of death is not related to any transferable disease, as such conditions make corneas unfit for donation.
"Donation is a selfless act; it is about giving without expecting anything in return. While there's no cost for the eyes themselves, charges are involved in preserving and transplanting them. In India, eye banks can preserve donated eyes for up to two weeks, allowing time for suitable transplant procedures," she explained.
Discussing the growing concern of eye issues post-COVID, Dr Sulatha Bhandary said, "Before COVID, digital exposure was more limited to professionals, but now everyone—from children to the elderly—is spending hours on digital screens. This has significantly increased cases of eye strain and dryness."
She pointed out that when reading physical materials like newspapers, we blink every 10 seconds, but while using digital screens, we blink less frequently. "This leads to dry eyes. To avoid this, frequent blinking is necessary, and the screen should be positioned below eye level, especially when using gadgets before sleep, to prevent excessive widening of the eyes."
Her advice includes taking a 15-minute break after every hour of screen time, using prescribed eye drops for dryness, and spending at least one hour outdoors daily, which is especially important for children, to reduce the risk of developing myopia, a condition that has seen a sharp rise after the pandemic.
Dr Sulatha Bhandary strongly recommends routine eye check-ups for children, even before they start school. "Watching TV or reading with the book too close to the eyes can be early signs of vision problems. Eye examinations should include a thorough evaluation of the optic nerves, not just a basic vision test," she noted.
For adults, especially those above 40 years, annual eye check-ups are a must. Age-related conditions such as presbyopia, which causes difficulty in focusing on nearby objects, and glaucoma, where increased eye pressure damages the optic nerve, can lead to irreversible vision loss if not detected early. "In glaucoma, once vision is lost, it cannot be restored—early detection is crucial," she warned.
"In coastal regions like Udupi, people often rely on traditional remedies, applying coconut oil or kitchen products to the eyes. These practices are unsafe and can lead to fungal infections," Dr Sulatha Bhandary cautioned.
In case of any foreign particles or chemicals entering the eyes, she advises against rubbing. "Always rinse the eyes immediately with clean water. In the case of chemicals, rinse for at least 15 minutes and consult an eye specialist promptly," she said.
Finally, Dr Sulatha Bhandary recommends avoiding the unnecessary use of over-the-counter glasses and giving your eyes a complete digital detox at least once a week to maintain long-term eye health.
Watch full interview: