AIIMS Expands Cornea Retrieval Network with New Hospital Partnerships

The National Eye Bank at AIIMS in New Delhi has broadened its cornea retrieval network by partnering with three additional hospitals. The agreements aim to boost the availability of donor tissues for transplantation. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. RML Hospital, Indira Gandhi Hospital in Dwarka, and Northern Railway Central Hospital. These collaborations are part of the AIIMS-Delhi Hospital Corneal Retrieval Programme (HCRP) for 2026.

Strengthening Corneal Transplant Efforts

With the inclusion of these hospitals, AIIMS aims to enhance its capacity for corneal tissue procurement, research, and training. The eye bank has been managing a substantial number of corneal transplants, collecting 2,167 corneas and conducting 1,775 transplants in 2025 alone. The HCRP played a significant role, accounting for 81.9% of the corneas retrieved last year.

The hospital-based programme facilitates eye-bank counsellors and technicians in identifying potential donors, counseling bereaved families, and retrieving corneas efficiently. Over the past 61 years, the National Eye Bank has collected over 38,000 corneas and performed more than 28,000 transplants, training over 500 ophthalmologists in advanced techniques.

Innovations and Community Engagement

AIIMS has recently transitioned to the sutureless Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), a modern technique that transplants only the functional endothelial membrane. This approach potentially offers faster visual rehabilitation for patients with endothelial dysfunction. In 2025, the center performed 631 optical keratoplasties.

During the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight at AIIMS, the eye bank showcased its online death-notification and eye-donation pledge systems, which streamline donor communication. Over the past year, 100 individuals pledged their eyes through this system. Additionally, the center distributed 4,652 vials of its indigenous corneal preservation medium, ExStorSol, to 130 eye banks across 24 states in 2025-26.

Future Collaborations and Recognitions

In collaboration with RayMed, AIIMS is also working on a project to source corneal tissue from other eye banks for pediatric keratoplasty. A five-year partnership with Vision-Aid aims to establish 10 Integrated Vision Centers across Delhi-NCR and a dedicated Cerebral Visual Impairment Resource Centre for children.

Recognizing its contributions to eye banking, the National Eye Bank was awarded a National Award last year. During the recent event, the center honored donor families, hospitals, NGOs, and partner eye banks for their support and collaboration in advancing eye care.