India's Corneal Blindness Crisis: Cultural Myths Block Eye Donations, Leaving Millions in Darkness

• India faces a severe shortage of donated corneas, leaving 1.2-1.8 million people, including children, with preventable corneal blindness despite world-class medical facilities.
• Only 12-15% of the annual demand for 2 lakh corneas is met, creating a significant treatment gap due to low donation rates.
• Cultural myths, emotional resistance, fears of disfigurement, and religious misconceptions are major barriers to eye donation, despite most faiths supporting charity.
• Lack of awareness about the donation process (4-6 hours post-death, free service) and absence of trained grief counsellors in hospitals hinder family consent.
• Experts advocate for sustained public awareness campaigns, hospital-based retrieval programs, and education in schools to normalize eye donation as a dignified act of kindness.

Why It Matters: Overcoming cultural myths and boosting awareness are crucial to end India's preventable corneal blindness crisis.