Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, August 25: The 40th Eye Donation Fortnight is being celebrated by the District Health Department from August 25 to September 8. Giving detailed information in this regard, Civil Surgeon Dr. Sangeeta Jain said that the main objective of this fortnight is to make people aware about the importance of eye donation. She said that during the fortnight, people will be motivated and consent forms will be filled for eye donation. These forms are available in government health institutions and any interested person can go there and fill the form.
The senior health officer said that eye donation is a work of humanity's welfare and everyone should prepare to donate eyes by filling the form so that after death, eyes can be removed and implanted in some blind persons and they too can see the colors of the world. Millions of people in India are blind and most of them can see through donated eyes, but it is a pity that the number of eye donors in our country is very low.
Dr. Jain said that eyes are a very important part of our body, so they should be checked at least once every six months. The saying ‘Akhan gay toh jahan gay’ tells about the importance of eyes that if the world is without eyes, then it becomes dark.
He appealed to the residents of the district to come forward and contribute to the eye donation campaign and also motivate their family members, relatives and friends for this noble cause. For more information, the helpline number 104 of the Health Department can be contacted. It is worth mentioning that free iris replacement surgeries are performed in government hospitals of Punjab.

Some important facts about eye donation-
The decision to donate eyes can be made before death and eye donation takes place only after death. A form is filled to donate eyes. Eyes should be donated within 6 to 8 hours of death. A person of any age can donate eyes, whether he/she wears glasses, has had eye surgery, or has lenses.
People suffering from diseases like AIDS, jaundice, blood cancer, and brain fever cannot donate eyes. It takes only 10-15 minutes to remove the eyes and there is no mark or scar on the face in this process.