Chandigarh: The 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight, being observed from August 25 to September 8, was inaugurated today at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, with great enthusiasm and zeal. The fortnight was formally inaugurated by a balloon release ceremony, jointly performed by Dr. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, and Prof. Usha Singh, Head, Department of Ophthalmology, PGIMER. PGI official said that the National Eye Donation Fortnight is a nationwide 15-day awareness campaign observed every year with the support and encouragement of the Government of India. The campaign aims to encourage healthcare institutions and other stakeholders to undertake intensive public awareness activities regarding eye donation and motivate people to pledge their eyes after death. The National Eye Donation Fortnight has been observed in the country since 1985.
Despite significant advances in corneal transplantation, there continues to be a substantial gap between the requirement and availability of donated corneas. At present, approximately 1.1 million people in India are corneal blind, while around 25,000–30,000 corneal transplants are performed annually. At PGIMER, more than 1,000 patients are waiting for corneal transplantation, whereas the Institute receives approximately 400–500 donated corneas each year. This significant gap highlights the urgent need to create greater awareness and encourage more people to pledge their eyes.
The fortnight therefore focuses on creating mass public awareness about eye donation, motivating citizens to pledge their eyes after death and bridging the gap between the demand and availability of corneas. An equally important objective is to address and dispel the various myths, misconceptions, fears and apprehensions associated with eye donation.
As part of the fortnight-long campaign, a series of awareness lectures on eye donation will be organised at educational institutions and public places. Various activities, including poster-making and essay-writing competitions, will also be organised in schools to engage students and create awareness about the importance of eye donation.
An Eye Donation Awareness Walkathon will also be organised on 3rd September 2026 at 5:00 PM, from Rock Garden to Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh, with the objective of taking the message of eye donation to the wider community.
The fortnight will conclude with a closing ceremony on 5th September 2026 at the Advanced Eye Centre, PGIMER, during which participants and contributors involved in various awareness activities will be felicitated.
The PGIMER Eye Bank and Department of Ophthalmology appealed to the public to come forward, learn the facts about eye donation, dispel the myths associated with it and make the noble pledge of donating their eyes after death to help restore sight and give the gift of vision to those in need.
“A pledge today can give someone the gift of sight tomorrow.”
