CHENNAI: When it came to her eyes, Saraswathiammal defied the process of aging. When she died on Monday morning in Vishranthi's home for aged destitute women, at the ripe old age of 110, her eyes were young enough to be donated to others.

The two corneas were harvested and sent to the eye bank, and subsequently used on two individuals who had lost vision. Saraswathiammal was a freedom fighter, says Savitri Vaithi, of Vishranthi. “She told us that her whole family had split up in the riots following Mahatma Gandhi's assassination. She apparently drifted to Andhra Pradesh, and later, to Pattukottai.”

Following her appearance on a TV show, (Visu's Arattai Arangam) where she requested that she be placed in a home, she was shifted to Vishranthi about eight years ago.

Saraswathiammal, who could speak five languages, was popular among the other residents and her associates in Pattukottai, many of whom had turned up for her funeral.

“When she came in, we were told she was 102 years old. She has some documents and we are now looking at them,” Ms. Vaithi explains in response to a question about the authenticity of Saraswathiammal's age.

She adds that it was the practice of the home to enquire with all their residents if they would like to donate their eyes. So far, about 182 pairs of eyes have been donated to Rajan Eye Care Hospital.

Mohan Rajan, chairman, Rajan Eye Care says the request came from Vishranthi to remove the corneas of an inmate who was 110 years old. “We were quite surprised to find that the corneas were very healthy. In fact, they seemed like a pair of someone who was 40-50 years. So we decided to go ahead with the harvesting for transplantation purposes.”

The corneas were used the same day on a 12-year-old boy and a 35-year-old woman who had lost eyesight due to an injury.

The child has reportedly had restoration of 70 per cent of vision and the lady has regained about 50 per cent of vision. Both of them are likely to improve in another four–six weeks, he adds