Country Donates Corneas

Sri Lanka is doing its best to satisfy the demand for donated cornea without seeking any reward – at least in this lifetime.

16:46 02 February 2016

The cornea is the clear front part of the eye, which lets in light and helps focus images on the retina. If it gets damaged, either by an injury or a disease, the person’s sight deteriorates and this can lead to blindness. Often, the only solution is a transplant. However, in many countries the supply for donated corneas is severely limited.

 

The case is not the same in Sri Lanka where 75per cent of the population is Sinhalese and Buddhists. They believe in the cycle of birth, death and rebirth and see the process of donating their corneas as a sound investment for their future.

 

Viswani Pasadi is one of the many people in the country who has pledged her eyes when she dies. She said: "If I donate my eyes in this life, I'll have better vision in my next life."

 

Another who has taken the same step is Preethi Kahlewatte, who said: "Whatever good things we do in this birth, that will take into the next birth. When the person needs something, we like to donate. Without hands, we can work. Without legs, we can work. Without eyes, what can we do?"