75% of India's Corneal Blindness Cases Remain Untreated as Eye Donor Shortage Persists
Faridabad: An expert revealed on Thursday that an overwhelming 75% of corneal blindness cases in India remain untreated due to a shortage of eye donors.
Corneal blindness ranks as the second most common cause of visual impairment in the country, affecting 1.1 million people.
Despite this, only 25,000 of the needed donations are fulfilled annually.
“This makes it feasible for only one out of every four individuals with corneal blindness to avail of the required surgery, while 75 per cent of the cases are left untreated,” said the ophthalmologist at Amrita Hospital, Faridabad.
A growing ageing population, higher incidence of corneal infections and injuries are some of the reasons why corneal blindness is rising in India.
“Vitamin-A deficiency in children, degenerative conditions like keratoconus and corneal dystrophies, congenital opacification of the cornea and post-surgical complications are some other causes of corneal blindness worldwide,” said Dr. Meenakshi Dhar, HoD, Ophthalmology, Amrita Hospital.
“The symptoms can vary based on the underlying cause of the corneal damage. Most patients experience blurred vision in the affected eye. Eye infections usually cause significant eye pain, watering, redness and severe photophobia in the acute phase. Visible scars on the cornea are often detectable during an eye examination,” she added.
Certain parts of India are more susceptible to corneal blindness due to factors such as healthcare access, environmental conditions, and socioeconomic disparities.
According to doctors, states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh have recorded higher rates of visual impairment, including corneal blindness.
These areas struggle with insufficient eye care facilities, lower rates of eye donation, and increased exposure to risk factors like agricultural injuries and infectious diseases.
Corneal blindness is particularly prevalent in agricultural regions, where eye injuries often lead to fungal infections.
While corneal transplantation remains the most definitive treatment for advanced cases, other options include laser therapy, scleral contact lenses, amniotic membrane transplants, and stem cell therapy.
Preventive measures like maintaining proper eye hygiene, promptly treating infections, vaccination, and health education can greatly reduce the risk of corneal blindness.
Early diagnosis and treatment of corneal conditions are crucial, the doctor emphasized.