‘Transform lives’: Doctors urge public to consider cornea donation

Doctors on Thursday urged the public to consider donating their corneas after death.

“Consider cornea donation as an exit plan. Kasi marami sa atin magpapa-cremate, marami sa atin, diba ang dami natin plano? Isama na natin ito sa plano natin,” ophthalmologist Dr. Ma. Dominga "Minguita" Padilla said at the DOH Kapihan forum.

[Consider cornea donation as an exit plan. Because many of us are going to get a cremation, so we have plans. Let’s include donations in our plans.]

“Let’s leave something of ourselves behind that can transform lives, no? And kahit wala na tayo may makikinabang pa sa ating mga cornea para ma-enjoy pa nila ang kagandahan ng mundo,” she added.

[Let’s leave something of ourselves behind that can transform lives. Even if we are gone, other people will be able to see the beauty of the world.]

According to Padilla, the donation of a cornea does not disfigure the body. She also said that corneas are retrieved after death.

“It is not disfiguring. Hindi siya nakakaiba ng anyo. Hindi lulubog ang mata kasi ang corneas na tinatanggal mo ay nire-replace ng eye caps to take the place of the cornea. So the eye remains normal in shape and the eyelids can close very well,” she said.

(It won't change your face. Your eyes won't sink because eye caps will take the place of your cornea.)

She added that individuals with diabetes and cancer, except for leukemia and eye cancer, may still donate their corneas.

Padilla said there are currently 376 individuals waiting for transplants at the Eye Bank.

According to Padilla, the most common causes of corneal disease in the country include trauma, infections, complications of cataract surgery, genetics, and congenital.

Dr. Erold Beronio, program manager of the DOH's Philippine Organ Donation and Transplantation Program and the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PODTP-PhilNOS), also pointed out that a single donor can save as many as eight lives with the donation of eight organs: one heart, two lungs, one liver, one pancreas, two kidneys, and the intestines.

The same donor may also save or improve the lives of up to 50 people by donating tissues and eyes, he added.

Beronio also said that those interested in being organ donors may sign up at philnos-donorcard.doh.gov.ph or visit the Philippine Network for Organ Sharing (PhilNOS) Facebook page for more information.  — BM, GMA News