<p>Pledging and donation of eyes is on the rise in Bengaluru since the passing of popular Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar.</p>.<p>The star, who died on October 29, had pledged his eyes like his father, the legendary actor Dr Rajkumar. Four patients benefited from Puneeth’s donation.</p>.<p>Dr Rajkumar Eye Bank run by Narayana Nethralaya Superspeciality Eye Hospital, West of Chord Road, saw more than 10,000 pledges in just November. </p>.<p>Veeresh MPM, manager of the eye bank, says, “We would get about 50 eye donations every month before the pandemic. In November, the number shot up to 234.” </p>.<p>Forty to 60-year-olds dominate the pledges. “We are getting calls from outside Bengaluru too, from Sakleshpur, Gulbarga, Huliyar, Ramanagara and Nelamangala,” he says.</p>.<p>He says Puneeth’s example is inspiring many people to donate. “We hosted 10 camps last weekend in Bengaluru,” he says.</p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Shraddha Eye Bank</span></strong></p>.<p>After the pandemic broke out, the donation numbers had come down at Shraddha Eye Bank, Jayanagar, set up by the Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital. </p>.<p>Dr Nagesh B N, cornea consultant, says, “Many would call to know more about eye donation, but the Covid protocols didn’t permit it.”</p>.<p>After the lockdowns, a Covid-negative certificate was mandatory, and the eyes couldn’t be released for donation till two days after collection.</p>.<p>Only after a negative Covid test result could the eyes be used, he told <span class="italic">Metrolife</span>.</p>.<p>Most eye banks had stopped eye collection because of the long procedure.</p>.<p>“Even after eye donation camps resumed, many who had pledged did not come back,” he says.</p>.<p>Since November, the bank began getting three or four calls a week, compared to just one or two earlier.</p>.<p>“The willingness among families to donate a relative’s eyes has increased,” he says. Dr Nagesh adds people pledging their eyes are mostly between 30 and 50. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Modi Hospital</span></strong></p>.<p>At Dr MC Modi Hospital, Rajajinagar, there were no collections and pledges during the lockdowns.</p>.<p>After the Covid second wave, pledges started picking up, says Dr Sowmyalatha, medical superintendent. </p>.<p>“Since October 29, many coming for consultations are pledging their eyes,” she says. The hospital saw a 80-90 per cent increase in pledges in November, she adds. </p>.<p><strong>Time factor</strong></p>.<p>Many people believe eye donation leads to disfiguration of the face, says Dr Nagesh B N, cornea consultant. “That is not so. And the process takes just a couple of hours,” he says.</p>.<p><strong>Who can donate?</strong></p>.<p>Anyone above 18, even those with diabetes, hypertension, heart and kidney ailments, can pledge and donate eyes, the use may differ.</p>
<p>Pledging and donation of eyes is on the rise in Bengaluru since the passing of popular Kannada actor Puneeth Rajkumar.</p>.<p>The star, who died on October 29, had pledged his eyes like his father, the legendary actor Dr Rajkumar. Four patients benefited from Puneeth’s donation.</p>.<p>Dr Rajkumar Eye Bank run by Narayana Nethralaya Superspeciality Eye Hospital, West of Chord Road, saw more than 10,000 pledges in just November. </p>.<p>Veeresh MPM, manager of the eye bank, says, “We would get about 50 eye donations every month before the pandemic. In November, the number shot up to 234.” </p>.<p>Forty to 60-year-olds dominate the pledges. “We are getting calls from outside Bengaluru too, from Sakleshpur, Gulbarga, Huliyar, Ramanagara and Nelamangala,” he says.</p>.<p>He says Puneeth’s example is inspiring many people to donate. “We hosted 10 camps last weekend in Bengaluru,” he says.</p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Shraddha Eye Bank</span></strong></p>.<p>After the pandemic broke out, the donation numbers had come down at Shraddha Eye Bank, Jayanagar, set up by the Nethradhama Super Speciality Eye Hospital. </p>.<p>Dr Nagesh B N, cornea consultant, says, “Many would call to know more about eye donation, but the Covid protocols didn’t permit it.”</p>.<p>After the lockdowns, a Covid-negative certificate was mandatory, and the eyes couldn’t be released for donation till two days after collection.</p>.<p>Only after a negative Covid test result could the eyes be used, he told <span class="italic">Metrolife</span>.</p>.<p>Most eye banks had stopped eye collection because of the long procedure.</p>.<p>“Even after eye donation camps resumed, many who had pledged did not come back,” he says.</p>.<p>Since November, the bank began getting three or four calls a week, compared to just one or two earlier.</p>.<p>“The willingness among families to donate a relative’s eyes has increased,” he says. Dr Nagesh adds people pledging their eyes are mostly between 30 and 50. </p>.<p><strong><span class="bold">Modi Hospital</span></strong></p>.<p>At Dr MC Modi Hospital, Rajajinagar, there were no collections and pledges during the lockdowns.</p>.<p>After the Covid second wave, pledges started picking up, says Dr Sowmyalatha, medical superintendent. </p>.<p>“Since October 29, many coming for consultations are pledging their eyes,” she says. The hospital saw a 80-90 per cent increase in pledges in November, she adds. </p>.<p><strong>Time factor</strong></p>.<p>Many people believe eye donation leads to disfiguration of the face, says Dr Nagesh B N, cornea consultant. “That is not so. And the process takes just a couple of hours,” he says.</p>.<p><strong>Who can donate?</strong></p>.<p>Anyone above 18, even those with diabetes, hypertension, heart and kidney ailments, can pledge and donate eyes, the use may differ.</p>
