S.G.M. Eye Bank (Sri Guru Mahipatiraj Eye Bank) was established in 1979 in the premises of M.M. Joshi eye institute to propagate the Awareness about Eye Donation and to restore vision in Corneal Blind persons. Dr. M. M. Joshi started pioneering work in promoting voluntary Eye donations & Corneal grafting in 1975 in this region and floated S.G.M. Eye Bank & Research Foundation Trust in 1979, which is the most active Eye Bank in Entire North Karnataka. More than 3600 sight-restoring corneal grafting surgeries have been done so far. These Corneal grafting surgeries are on a charitable basis. S.G.M. Eye Bank is the most active Eye Bank in North Karnataka and is the only Eye Bank registered under Human Organs Transplantation Act 1994. It is also a member of the Eye Bank Association of India. S.G.M Eye Bank has public awareness programs such, Awareness lectures to clubs, voluntary organizations, Schools, other teaching institutions and other service organizations, Posters display, Distribution of Brochures and Pamphlets. A series of slides are projected and explained to the members of the village peoples. S.G.M. Eye Bank has necessary arrangements to collect the eyes so donated. These eyes will be assessed & preserved by the S.G.M. Eye Bank, later the corneal tissue will be transplanted into the eyes of a person blinded by corneal disease. To create awareness about the eye donation, SGM Eye Bank always conduct an Eye Donation Rallies during Eye Donation Fortnight which was observed from 25th August to 8th September every year. 8th September is an Eye Donation Day.
