AIIMS Expands Cornea Retrieval Network with Three New Hospitals

The National Eye Bank at AIIMS Delhi has expanded its cornea retrieval network by incorporating three additional hospitals into its system. This move aims to enhance the availability of donor corneal tissues for transplantation. Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) have been signed with the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. RML Hospital, Indira Gandhi Hospital in Dwarka, and the Northern Railway Central Hospital. These collaborations are part of the AIIMS-Delhi Hospital Corneal Retrieval Programme (HCRP) established this year.

Strengthening Corneal Transplant Resources

The AIIMS eye bank's initiative comes in response to the high demand for corneal transplants. In 2025 alone, the bank collected 2,167 corneas, facilitating transplants for 1,775 patients suffering from corneal blindness. Consistently performing over 1,300 corneal transplants annually for the past four years, the eye bank is a crucial resource in the region. The HCRP plays a significant role, accounting for 81.9% of the corneas retrieved last year. This hospital-based program involves trained eye-bank counsellors and technicians who identify potential donors, engage with bereaved families, and conduct cornea retrievals at hospitals.

Innovations and Partnerships

AIIMS has also been at the forefront of adopting advanced techniques such as the sutureless Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). This procedure involves transplanting only the functional endothelial membrane, allowing for quicker visual recovery in patients with endothelial dysfunction. The eye bank's achievements were highlighted during the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight at AIIMS, which included the introduction of a fully online death-notification system and an online eye-donation pledge system. Over the past year, 100 individuals have pledged their eyes through this platform.

Additionally, AIIMS is distributing its indigenous corneal preservation medium, ExStorSol, to 130 eye banks across 24 states, with more than 4,652 vials supplied in 2025-26. A collaborative project supported by RayMed is underway to facilitate the procurement of corneal tissue for pediatric keratoplasty. Furthermore, AIIMS has entered a five-year partnership with Vision-Aid to establish 10 Integrated Vision Centres across Delhi-NCR and a dedicated Cerebral Visual Impairment Resource Centre for children.

Recognition and Future Directions

The National Eye Bank, recognized with a National Award for its contributions to eye banking, continues to honor donor families, hospitals, NGOs, and partner eye banks for their support. Since its inception 61 years ago, the eye bank has collected over 38,000 corneas and facilitated visual rehabilitation for more than 28,000 individuals through corneal transplantation. It has also trained over 500 ophthalmologists in advanced corneal transplantation techniques, reinforcing its role as a leader in eye health and transplantation.