Highlights:

• Corneal blindness emerges as the second most prevalent form, constituting 7.4% of the overall blindness panorama. Equally alarming is the annual surge of 25,000 to 30,000 new cases of corneal blindness.
• 4.8 million individuals in India grapple with the profound challenges of blindness.
• Entod Pharmaceuticals is steadfast in its pursuit to bridge the chasm between potential donors and the fruition of donation.
• Eye Donation Fortnight is being organized in 10+ states including Telangana, Delhi, Maharashtra, Bihar etc.

New Delhi, 1st September 2023: Entod Pharmaceuticals, a renowned pharmaceutical company in India, proudly announces a transformative event slated to run on the occasion of the 38th National Eye Donation Fortnight observing from August 25th to September 8th, 2023. This campaign aims to make people understand how crucial eye donation is and encourage more corneal transplants to help with the widespread problem of corneal blindness. Working together with Hospitals and Clinics all over India, this effort will bring together more than 1000 doctors to target 50,000+ individuals in 10+ states. These doctors will work hard to teach their patients about the key role of eye donation, explain the process in simple terms, clear up misconceptions, and inspire a big wave of kindness.

These upcoming events have been meticulously crafted to establish an interactive platform, focused on educating, inspiring, and uniting communities in support of eye donation. Through immersive camps and spirited rallies, the campaign is dedicated to nurturing a collective sense of responsibility and motivation. This effort transcends geographical boundaries, weaving a tapestry of unity among individuals who share the common goal of restoring sight and kindling hope.

In accordance with the National Blindness Survey (2015-2019), a staggering 4.8 million individuals in India grapple with the profound challenges of blindness. Remarkably, corneal blindness emerges as the second most prevalent form, constituting 7.4% of the overall blindness panorama. Equally alarming is the annual surge of 25,000 to 30,000 new cases of corneal blindness. Against this backdrop of affliction, the beacon of hope lies in the curative potential of corneal transplantation, the solitary avenue for restoring vision and rekindling lives ravaged by corneal disorders.

Mr. Nikkhil K Masurkar, President, Entod Eye Health Foundation, delves into the heart of the Eye Donation Fortnight's purpose, explaining, “Building upon the impactful foundation of the #pledgemyeyes campaign launched last year, we are resolutely continuing our efforts to amplify awareness about eye donation through the Eye Donation Fortnight. Centred around the pioneering pledgemyeyes.org initiative led by Prof. Dr. S Natarajan, this movement empowers individuals to pledge their eyes conveniently, right from the comfort of their homes, with just two clicks. This approach radiates newfound hope, illuminating lives in the process. Remarkably, this initiative has successfully garnered over 1 million eye donations across India, a testament to its profound influence. At its core, this collective mission is dedicated to dispelling misconceptions, simplifying procedures, and fostering engagement in this life-altering act of compassion."

Adding a medical perspective, Dr. Anjani Pratap, M.S FLVPEI, Consultant ophthalmologist, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon, Assistant Professor at Omania General Hospital a respected expert in the field, warmly commends Entod Pharmaceuticals for their dedicated efforts, expressing, "In the precious act of donating a pair of eyes, lies the potential to rewrite stories of strength and victory against all odds. This special drive, led by the passionate team at Entod, is a powerful reminder to rethink not only the gift of sight but also the incredible depth of kindness that goes beyond one's lifetime. By giving this priceless gift, we're not just restoring vision; we're planting seeds of change that keep growing even in tough times. In this crucial moment, as the need for eye donations becomes more urgent, let's allow this inspiring initiative to motivate us to speed up our acts of giving. Together, we can bring light to lives that have been in the shadows for too long."

In the wake of the tumultuous disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the landscape of corneal transplants witnessed an upheaval in the number of collected corneas. The Eye Bank Association of India underscores this challenge, signalling a decline in corneal donations during the pandemic era. Against this backdrop, the Eye Donation Fortnight emerges as a pivotal initiative, reigniting the momentum, reaffirming the sanctity of eye donation, and reinvigorating the collective consciousness.

Entod Pharmaceuticals is steadfast in its pursuit to bridge the chasm between potential donors and the fruition of donation. By spreading the word in many different ways, like awareness camps/drives by regional field forces, awareness programmes on social media and educational efforts, the company aims to create a big change in how people think. They want to make eye donation something really special and important, something that shows how caring we can be. This caring spirit will carry on from one generation to the next, making a lasting impact.