Ophthalmic surgeons, students, and eye bank staff took part in a rally organised here on Sunday by the Coimbatore Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons to create awareness on eye donation.
According to a press release from the organisers, globally, Eye Donation Fortnight is organised every year from August 25 to September 8. Awareness programmes are conducted to motivate people to donate eyes.
Corneal Blindness is the fourth major reason for blindness world over, next to cataract, glaucoma, and age-related problems.
Of the 45 million people without vision in the world, 15 million are in India.
The country needs two lakh corneas a year, but only a little more than 44,000 are collected. Hence, there is a need for better awareness.
Annadurai, Assistant Commissioner of Coimbatore Corporation, and Santhosh, Health Officer, flagged off the rally.