Patna: Even after his death, 60-year-old Kodai Mahto’s eyes will continue to help others see the world. His son Jitendra Mahto, a daily wage worker from Bettiah, decided to donate his father’s eyes after his death at Patna Medical College Hospital (PMCH).Following counselling by PMCH Eye Bank team members Rishikesh and Gonu Jha, Jitendra consented to the donation. Dr Shubham and Dr Pooja subsequently carried out corneal retrieval at the emergency OT.Jitendra, who supports his family through daily wage work, said the decision was taken with the hope that his father’s eyes could bring light to someone suffering from corneal blindness. PMCH officials said the donation also highlighted the need to create greater awareness about eye donation and dispel misconceptions surrounding organ donation.PMCH superintendent Dr Rajiv Kumar Singh said several misconceptions and superstitions continued to prevent people from donating eyes and organs. “It is our moral responsibility to dispel these misconceptions,” he said, adding the PMCH Eye Bank was working to spread awareness about eye donation.According to data from the PMCH Eye Bank, 304 corneal transplants have been performed so far, while 423 patients are currently registered and waiting for corneal transplantation.
