Eye Bank
Bharati Eye Bank has been that resource for Pune since 2014, operating around the clock to ensure that corneal tissue reaches the patients who need it without delay. Every donation received, every tissue evaluated, and every cornea distributed is a step towards restoring someone's sight — and the team here takes that responsibility seriously.
OVERVIEW
Established in 2014, Bharati Eye Bank is a fully functional, 24/7 eye bank registered with the Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI) with updated THOTA certification. The facility manages the complete corneal tissue pathway — retrieval, processing, quality evaluation, and distribution — with tissue remaining transplantable for up to 14 days in appropriate preservation media. Spread across 1,000 sq. ft., it is equipped with a laminar airflow hood, temperature-regulated storage, and a specular microscope for endothelial cell assessment.
Bharati Hospital holds an MOU and active tie-up with LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad — one of the leading corneal facilities in the country — for receiving corneal tissue when local availability is limited, ensuring patients are not left waiting unnecessarily.
Scope of Services
Cornea retrieval
- 24/7 donor eye retrieval — available around the clock, seven days a week, ensuring no donation opportunity is missed regardless of when it occurs
- Retrieval from hospital donors and community donors registered through the eye bank
- Sensitive, respectful handling of donor families throughout the process
Corneal tissue processing & evaluation
- Laboratory processing of retrieved corneal tissue under laminar airflow conditions
- Specular microscopy — detailed assessment of endothelial cell count and morphology to confirm tissue quality and transplantability
- Full evaluation of each cornea before it is approved for distribution or transplantation
Tissue storage & preservation
- Storage in appropriate corneal preservation media maintaining tissue viability for up to 14 days
- Temperature-regulated storage facility ensuring consistent conditions throughout the preservation period
- Tissue traceability and documentation from retrieval through to end use
Tissue distribution
- Distribution of corneal tissue to registered eye banks and cornea surgeons across the network
- Coordination with external facilities including LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad for tissue sourcing when required
- Emergency tissue availability for urgent transplant cases
Corneal transplantation support
- Tissue supply for penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) and lamellar corneal transplant procedures
- Coordination with the Department of Ophthalmology at Bharati Hospital for in-house transplants
- Liaison with visiting and affiliated cornea surgeons for scheduled and urgent cases
Donor registration & awareness
- Eye donation registration and pledge support for individuals wishing to donate
- Community awareness initiatives to increase eye donation rates in Pune
- Counselling and guidance for donor families at the time of donation
Infrastructure & Equipment
- Facility A dedicated 1,000 sq. ft. eye bank facility designed and maintained to the standards required for corneal tissue processing and storage — physically separate, properly controlled, and equipped specifically for this purpose.
- Laminar airflow hood A sterile working environment for all tissue processing steps, minimising contamination risk during retrieval, evaluation, and preparation of corneal tissue.
- Specular microscope The key quality assessment instrument in any eye bank — the specular microscope evaluates the endothelial cell layer of the cornea, measuring cell density and morphology. Endothelial cell count is the primary indicator of whether a cornea will function successfully after transplantation.
- Temperature-regulated storage Corneal tissue is stored under precise temperature control throughout the preservation period, maintaining viability and ensuring tissue quality is not compromised between retrieval and use.
- Institutional partnerships MOU with LV Prasad Eye Institute, Hyderabad — one of India's foremost corneal centres — for tissue sourcing, knowledge exchange, and support in cases where local tissue availability is insufficient.
Eye Bank Team
Dr.Shridhar Kulkarni
Bharati Eye Bank Incharge
FAQs
What is an eye bank and what does it do?
An eye bank is a facility that collects, evaluates, processes, and distributes donated corneal tissue for use in transplantation. It sits between the donor and the recipient — ensuring that tissue is safe, viable, and matched to patients who need it. Bharati Eye Bank handles this entire chain, from retrieval through to distribution.
What is corneal blindness and can it be treated?
The cornea is the clear front surface of the eye. When it becomes damaged, scarred, or diseased, vision deteriorates — sometimes to the point of functional blindness. Unlike many other causes of blindness, corneal blindness is often treatable through a corneal transplant, where the damaged tissue is replaced with healthy donor cornea. The outcome depends on the quality of the donor tissue and the expertise of the surgical team.
How long can a donated cornea be stored?
Corneas stored in appropriate preservation media remain transplantable for up to 14 days. This window allows surgeons and patients time to plan and schedule procedures without the extreme urgency associated with some other organ transplants.
Who can donate their eyes?
Almost anyone can be an eye donor — age, spectacle power, and most medical conditions do not disqualify a person. What matters is the condition of the corneal tissue at the time of donation. People with active eye infections, certain cancers, or some transmissible diseases may not be suitable, but this is assessed at the time of retrieval.
When should eye donation take place after death?
Corneas should ideally be retrieved within 6 hours of death, though this can extend to up to 12 hours under appropriate conditions. This is why the eye bank operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — so that no donation is missed because of timing.
Does eye donation affect the appearance of the donor?
No. The retrieval procedure is conducted with great care and respect. Only the corneal tissue is removed — the eye itself remains intact, and there is no visible change to the donor's appearance. Open-casket viewing is not affected.
How do I register as an eye donor?
You can register through Bharati Eye Bank directly, or through the national donor registration system. Our team will assist with the documentation and make sure your family is aware of your wishes — which is the most important step, since family consent is sought at the time of donation.
What is HCRP and why does it matter?
Hospital Cornea Retrieval Program (HCRP) is a structured approach to identifying potential donors within the hospital setting — particularly patients who pass away in the ICU or wards — and facilitating timely, respectful retrieval with proper family counselling. HCRP programmes consistently yield more corneas than community-based retrieval alone, which directly translates to more patients receiving sight-restoring transplants.