According to the latest findings of the Eye Bank Association of India, there are around 10 million blind people in the country, of which 2 million suffer from corneal blindness, with more than 60 per cent of them being children below the age of 12. Gujarat alone has about 40,000 children suffering from corneal blindness.

This revelation came as the country celebrated ‘Prevention of Corneal Blindness in Children Fortnight’ from August 25 to September 9 to bring awareness about preventing corneal blindness, especially in children below 12 years.

Natural causes for the disease include lack of Vitamin A, but corneal blindness among children is mostly caused due to injury by a pointed object, crackers and at times infections. In several cases, lime used with tobacco also damages the cornea, a common occurrence in our country. Taking some simple steps and minor precautions can prevent corneal Blindness.

Dr. Ashish Nagpal from the Aso Palov Eye Bank in Ahmedabad says, “Summer vacation and Diwali are the periods when maximum children injure their cornea.’’

Experts feel there is an urgent need to create awareness among people about prevention of corneal blindness and the significance of eye donation. Dr Urmit Shah, an eye specialist says, “I personally believe that as many people as possible should donate eyes. It will be helpful for research or education purpose if not for cornea transplantation.”