New Delhi, Sep 8 (IANS): Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his wife Gursharan Kaur Thursday pledged to donate their eyes on the occasion of National Eye Donation Day.

According to a brief statement from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Manmohan Singh and Gursharan Kaur signed the form pledging to "donate their eyes on the occasion of National Eye Donation Day".

According to World Health Organisation, there are 284 million visually impaired people in the world -- 39 million are blind and 245 have low vision.

About 90 percent of them live in developing countries.

Eye donation means donating one's corneas after his or her death. In India, there are many organisations that act as eye banks that facilitate removal of corneas and distribute them to the needy.

Cornea is a clear tissue -- a focusing element -- that covers the front of the eye. People suffering from corneal blindness only can benefit from eye donations through corneal grafting.

State run telecom companies -- BSNL and MTNL -- have a toll free number 1919 all over the country to facilitate easy access to the nearest eye bank.