To commemorate the National Eye Donation Day on September 8, 442 people pledged to donate their eyes to Sankara Nethralaya after their lifetime.
Twenty four people, including journalists, doctors, volunteers and social workers were honoured with the ‘Sight Ambassador’ award. The awards were presented by chief guest N. Murali, Managing Director, The Hindu.
Mr. Murali, who has himself benefited from the service offered by Sankara Nethralaya, praised the institutes’ ideology of providing quality eye care to all citizens irrespective of their economic status.
Mr. A.P. Irungovel, HOD, CU Shah Eye Bank briefed the gathering on the eye bank’s contribution. So far the eye bank has received 13, 302 eyes and has been able to carry out 8, 390 corneal transplantation surgeries. In 2009, till date, 812 eyes were received and 391 surgeries have been carried out; in 2008 the eye bank received 1,158 eyes and 702 surgeries were performed.
http://www.hindu.com/2009/09/09/stories/2009090958110200.htm