AIIMS Expands Corneal Retrieval Network with Three New Hospitals
AIIMS National Eye Bank partners with three hospitals to boost cornea donations and research efforts.
The National Eye Bank at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi has expanded its corneal retrieval network by partnering with three additional hospitals. This move aims to enhance the availability of donor corneas for transplantation. The hospitals included in this new collaboration are the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. RML Hospital, Indira Gandhi Hospital in Dwarka, and Northern Railway Central Hospital.
Strengthening the AIIMS-Delhi Hospital Corneal Retrieval Programme
The partnerships are formalized through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) under the AIIMS-Delhi Hospital Corneal Retrieval Programme (HCRP). This initiative focuses on corneal tissue procurement, research, and training. The HCRP has been instrumental in identifying potential donors, counseling bereaved families, and retrieving corneas directly from hospitals.
In 2025, the AIIMS eye bank collected 2,167 corneas, with 1,775 (approximately 81.9%) procured via the HCRP. The program's success is evident as the centre has consistently performed over 1,300 corneal transplants annually for the past four years, visually rehabilitating more than 28,000 individuals over its 61-year history.
Innovations and Achievements in Eye Banking
The AIIMS eye bank has made significant advances, including the transition to sutureless Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK), a technique that transplants only the functional endothelial membrane. This method promises faster visual recovery for patients with endothelial dysfunction.
Highlighting its commitment to innovation, the eye bank has implemented a fully online death-notification system to expedite contact with bereaved families. Additionally, an online eye-donation pledge system has been introduced, with 100 individuals pledging their eyes in the past year alone.
The centre also supplies its indigenous corneal preservation medium, ExStorSol, to 130 eye banks across 24 states. In the 2025-26 period, it distributed over 4,652 vials. Furthermore, a RayMed-supported project aids in procuring corneal tissue from other eye banks for pediatric keratoplasty.
Collaborations and Future Plans
AIIMS has embarked on 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. These initiatives are part of AIIMS's broader efforts to enhance eye care services and research.
The National Eye Bank, which received a National Award for its contributions to eye banking, recently honored donor families, hospitals, NGOs, and partner eye banks during the 41st National Eye Donation Fortnight. These acknowledgments underscore the collaborative efforts essential for advancing corneal transplantation and eye care in India.