Dalai wishes to donate Rs 10 lakh to AIIMS eye centre

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Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama has offered to donate Rs ten lakh to the Dr R.P. Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences in the AIIMS where he was treated for cataract in both his eyes.

The 76-year-old spiritual leader had undergone cataract surgery of his eyes in the hospital.

"He was very happy with the treatment. He had undergone surgery for cataract in both eyes. Last month when he was here for check-up, he expressed his desire to donate Rs ten lakh to the department," said Dr Rajvardhan Azad, professor of Ophthalmology and Head, vitreo-retina and ocular trauma unit of AIIMS.

"The cataract was removed and an intra-ocular lens has been implanted in Dalai Lama's eyes for better vision. His vision has been restored," the ophthalmologist said.

"This donation will be used for the welfare of the resident doctors. It will be accepted by the Ophthalmic Research Association," he said.

Dr Azad also said, "The interest that gets generated from this Rs ten lakh will be utilised for scholarship and other scholarly works of medical students, including junior and senior resident doctors."

Cataract is clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lie behind the iris and the pupil, and it is a common cause of vision loss in elderly people.