Pakistan Eye Bank Society plans to expedite its Eye Donation Campaign in the country so as to reduce its dependence on foreign donors. Sources associated with the organisation told newsmen on Friday that the eye donation movement was progressing in the country yet it was a long way to ensure availability of cornea for all those in need across the country.
There are estimated to be 100,000 corneal blinds in Pakistan, the number is believed to be constantly increasing and therefore willingness among Pakistanis to actually donate (posthumously) is strongly needed. "So far more than 40,000 people have signed our eye donation will cards yet no more than a little over 200 pairs of cornea have been donated locally," said a PEBS official. These "will cards" have also been signed by prominent personalities belonging to different walks of life.
"With the help of Sri Lanka thousands of Pakistanis were helped to get their eye sight restored," said the PEB official. He said with the introduction of Cadaver Organ Donation Law in the country things were expected to improve, however, myths regarding removal of whole eye from the corpse was to be dispelled.