AIIMS Expands Cornea Retrieval Network with Three New Hospitals
AIIMS eye bank partners with three hospitals to boost corneal transplants and research.
The National Eye Bank at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi has expanded its cornea-retrieval network by signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with three prominent hospitals. This strategic move aims to enhance the availability of donor tissue for corneal transplants, critical for restoring vision to those affected by corneal blindness.
New Partnerships to Boost Corneal Transplants
The eye bank has formalized partnerships with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (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), which focuses on corneal tissue procurement, research, and training.
The initiative comes in response to the high demand for corneal transplants. In 2025 alone, the eye bank collected 2,167 corneas and successfully performed transplants on 1,775 patients. Through the HCRP, 81.9% of the corneas were retrieved, showcasing the program's effectiveness in identifying donors and facilitating transplants.
Advancements and Achievements
Over the past six decades, the National Eye Bank has collected more than 38,000 corneas, providing visual rehabilitation to over 28,000 individuals. The center has also been a training ground for more than 500 ophthalmologists, equipping them with advanced skills in corneal transplantation techniques.
AIIMS has been at the forefront of adopting innovative procedures, such as the sutureless Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). This technique involves transplanting only the functional endothelial membrane, offering faster visual rehabilitation for patients with endothelial dysfunction.
Innovative Systems and Community Engagement
At the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight event, AIIMS highlighted its advancements, including a fully online death-notification system. This system accelerates contact with bereaved families, facilitating timely donations. Additionally, the eye bank's online eye-donation pledge system has seen 100 new pledges in the past year.
In collaboration with RayMed, AIIMS is also working on a project to procure corneal tissue from other eye banks specifically for pediatric keratoplasty. Moreover, a five-year partnership with Vision-Aid aims to establish 10 Integrated Vision Centres across Delhi-NCR and a dedicated Cerebral Visual Impairment Resource Centre for children.
The eye bank's efforts have been recognized nationally, as it received a prestigious award last year for its significant contributions to eye banking. During the recent event, AIIMS honored donor families, hospitals, NGOs, and partner eye banks, acknowledging their vital roles in advancing corneal transplantation.