**Question:** The golden period of eye donation is

A. 60 minutes
B. 24 hours after death
C. 120 minutes
D. 24 hours after death

**Correct Answer:** D. 24 hours after death

**Core Concept:** Eye donation is a process through which corneas are removed from a deceased person's eyes to be used for transplantation in patients in need of corneal replacement. The process should ideally be performed rapidly and efficiently to ensure the quality of the corneas for transplantation.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The golden period for eye donation refers to the optimal time frame for corneal harvesting to ensure the corneas are of high quality for transplantation. In this case, the correct answer is 24 hours after death (option D). This is because, during this period, the corneas remain in a stable condition and have the highest probability of successful transplantation.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**

A. 60 minutes (option A): This is too short a time frame for the corneas to maintain their optimal quality for transplantation.
B. 24 hours after death (option B): Although this is longer than the correct answer, the corneas may not be as successful in transplantation as they would be after 24 hours.
C. 120 minutes (option C): This is too short a time frame for the corneas to maintain their optimal quality for transplantation.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right:**

The 24-hour window after death allows the corneal tissue to remain in a stable and suitable condition for transplantation. This is crucial because the corneal tissue needs to be processed and stored properly to maintain its viability and reduce the risk of infection or rejection.

**Clinical Pearl:** Corneal transplantation is a common type of organ transplantation, and eye banks can preserve the corneas for up to 12-18 hours after death. However, the goal is to maximize the chances of successful transplantation by choosing the most suitable time frame. Timely and efficient donation processes are essential for the success of corneal transplantation.