COIMBATORE: Though the Coimbatore Medical College Hospital (CMCH) has been getting eye donations aplenty, a good number of harvested eyes are being wasted every year for want of suitable recipients on time.
Of the 54 pairs of eyes harvested from patients in 2014 only 14 were used and the remaining wasted. In 2015 (till August 15), 30 pairs of eyes were harvested but less than 10 have brought light into the lives of the needy patients. The remaining eyes seem to be looking out, hoping for recipients.
“Keeping harvested eyes for long in eye banks cause the cornea to go dry. Then it will be unfit for use. This is what happens here,” said sources. However, CMCH officials have started taking steps to avoid wasting harvested corneas.