Patna: The Eye Bank of AIIMS Patna has set a remarkable example by bringing new light into the lives of visually impaired patients. After receiving formal approval from SOTTO, the Eye Bank commenced its operations on 30 April 2025. Since its establishment, a total of 64 eye donations have been received, out of which 45 successful corneal transplant surgeries have been performed.
Through these transplants, vision has been restored in cases of congenital blindness, corneal edema (swelling), corneal ulcers, congenital hereditary disorders, corneal scarring due to injury, and complications following cataract surgery.
Currently, more than 50 patients are on the waiting list for corneal transplantation, including 10 patients who are blind in both eyes. The number of patients on the waiting list continues to rise. The Eye Bank is consistently working to raise awareness about eye donation and striving to provide corneal transplants to as many visually impaired individuals as possible.
Three Inspiring Success Stories
1. First Light for a Congenitally Blind Patient
Bablu, a 21-year-old from Sahpur village in Patna, Bihar, had been living in darkness since birth due to congenital corneal opacity. He had never seen the world with his own eyes. After multiple consultations, he arrived at AIIMS Patna, where a team of specialists conducted a detailed evaluation and decided to proceed with corneal transplantation.
Following the successful surgery, when he saw his mother’s face for the first time, tears filled his eyes and a smile lit up his face. It was not just medical treatment—it was a rebirth of life.
2. New Light After Repeated Failures
Anjum Parveen’s life changed suddenly in 2017 after an injury to her right eye caused her cornea to turn white, leading to near-total vision loss. She underwent her first corneal transplant in Kolkata the same year, but unfortunately, it was unsuccessful.
In 2021, she underwent a second corneal transplant in Kolkata with renewed hope, but after some time, the cornea again became opaque. Repeated failures left her and her family deeply disheartened. The financial burden and emotional distress became overwhelming, and her world was gradually sinking into darkness.
In 2022, she registered at AIIMS Patna. The specialist team carefully evaluated her condition and arranged a healthy donor cornea at the appropriate time. Finally, in January 2026, she underwent corneal transplantation at AIIMS Patna. This time, the surgery was successful, and today her transplanted cornea remains healthy.
3. Success After Unsuccessful Treatments
Upendra Chaudhary, a resident of Arwal district, had been struggling with a serious problem in his left eye since childhood. In 2022, he was diagnosed with Congenital Corneal Opacity, and his vision was almost negligible, significantly affecting his daily life.
In 2023, he underwent a corneal transplant in Hyderabad. Although there was initial improvement, the results were not fully satisfactory.
Eventually, in October 2025, he underwent a repeat corneal transplant at the Department of Ophthalmology, AIIMS Patna. The surgery, performed by the expert team, was successful. Within a short time, there was clear improvement in his vision. He said, “Here, I received not only treatment but also trust.”
Raju Agarwal, Executive Director & CEO, and Anup Kumar, Medical Superintendent, congratulated the entire Eye Bank team under the leadership of Amit Raj for this humane and commendable work.
The AIIMS Patna Eye Bank has appealed to society to come forward in greater numbers for eye donation, so that light can be brought into many more lives living in darkness.
