The Association of Eye Bank of Asia (AEBA), an umbrella organisation for all major eye banks and eye banking organisations from the Asian countries, presented its inaugural award for “pioneering contributions to eye banking in Asia” to Dr Gullapalli N Rao, founder-chair of L V Prasad Eye Institute.

The award was presented at the 3rd Asia Cornea Society Biennial Scientific Meeting held in Manila, Phillipines, from November 27 to 29, 2012.

Dr Rao developed the first international standard eye bank in Asia at L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Hyderabad in 1989 and it has since grown into a major global resource centre and Centre of Excellence in eye banking over the years. It is a SightLife Centre of Excellence in Eye Banking. The Ramayamma International Eye Bank(RIEB) at LVPEI is now one of the biggest eye banks in the world and LVPEI in Hyderabad performs the highest number of corneal transplants from any single centre in the world. In addition to service, the Ramayamma International Eye Bank is also one of the major training centres for eye banking personnel and research in the world. It also offers certificate courses and training to different cadres of eye bank personnel from India and abroad.

The RIEB manufactures and supplies the McKarey Kauffman (MK) Medium for preservation and storage of corneas and eye tissue material for up to four days. The MK Medium is an economical and cost-effective product for domestic distribution to eye banks within India and 21 others in South East Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

Dr. Rao was a member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Eye Bank Association of America, and had played a major role in the creation of the Eye Bank Association of India (EBAI) where he was also the former President. Through its activities, EBAI stimulated the development of a world class eye banking network in India, and helped in the development of many eye banks in Asia.