National Eye Donation Fortnight observed

Dimapur district joined the rest of the country in observing the 40th National Eye Donation Fortnight 2025 from August 25 to September 8, 2025 under the National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairments (NPCB&VI), with a special focus on preventing corneal blindness.
As part of the observance, a sensitization programme was held on September 6 at Chapel Hall, District Hospital Dimapur, targeting students of the Nursing School Dimapur.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Asonla Aying, senior medical officer and nodal officer NPCB&VI Dimapur, highlighted the importance of eye donation and the urgent need to raise awareness. She explained the process of cornea harvesting and outlined common causes of corneal blindness, including accidental injuries, vitamin A deficiency—especially in children—and the use of traditional medicine.
Dr. Asonla cautioned against self-medication and delayed medical attention, noting that practices such as applying mother’s milk, cow urine, or steroids to treat eye infections could worsen the condition. She informed that the government has incorporated vitamin A supplementation into the national immunization schedule to address deficiency-related blindness.
Emphasizing that eye donation is not against any religion and is considered a noble act in many faiths, Dr. Asonla urged students to become ambassadors of awareness and encourage others to pledge their eyes. She clarified that only the cornea is harvested after death, with no disfigurement to the donor’s face, and that family consent is also permissible.
Concluding the session, Dr. Asonla underscored the growing demand for cornea transplants and the shortage of donors, calling on communities to support the cause and help restore vision to those in need.