Prevention of Corneal Blindness

(This is the message from Pradip Mehra, Adviser to the Administrator, Union Territory of Chandigarh, U.T. Secretariat), Sector 9, Chandigarh – 160017)

Nearly 2.0 million people suffer from corneal blindness in India. A majority of them are in the younger age group. Their sight can be restored only by corneal transplantation. Lakhs of people particularly childern are waiting for corneal transplatation. we need around 75,000 to 1.00 lac corneas per year to clear the backlog. To prevent corneal blindness we should take the following steps:

1. Vitamin-A prophlaxis should be given to all children under one year of age.
2. Timely treatment of malnutrition in children.
3. Timely treatment of eye infections.
4. Prevent eye injuries caused by Crackers and “Bow and Arrow” during festival like Diwali and Dushera.

The nation is observing the 23rd National Fortnight on Eye Donation from 25th August to 8th September, 2008.

I earnestly appeal to you to pledge your eyes to light up a sightless person’s life.

Please contact:

Eye Bank – 9814014464, 9855464464
PGI, Chandigarh 9855454464, 1919 (24 Hours)

Eye Bank 9814821212
Government Medical College & Hospital
Sector 32, Chandigarh

LET YOUR EYES LIVE AFTER YOU

Sd/-
Pradi
(Pradip Mehra)