Awareness of Eye Donation and Willingness to Donate Eyes in Population Attending Outdoor Patients Department of Ophthalmology at Sknmc, Pune (Maharashtra)

DR. (COL).SATISHKUMAR SRIVASTAVA; DR.SAYLI B. KULTHEDR.HARISHCHANDRA D. GORE

Volume : V, Issue : I, January - 2015

Awareness of Eye Donation and Willingness to Donate Eyes in Population Attending Outdoor Patients Department of Ophthalmology at Sknmc, Pune (Maharashtra)

Dr. Col . Satishkumar Srivastava, Dr. Sayli B. Kulthedr. Harishchandra D. Gore

Abstract :

Aim: To assess the level of awareness of eye donation and willingness to pledge eyes in patients attending the outdoor patients department of Ophthalmology at SKNMC, Pune. Material and Methods: All the patients from age 18 years and above attending the outdoor patients department of ophthalmology were included in the study. Basic demographic data regarding age, gender, socioeconomic status, educational level, occupation and religion of the patients was recorded. The patients were asked to respond to a questionnaire. Results: Theaverage age of the study subjects was 44.03 years. Out of 204 cases there were 46.6% females and 53.4% males. 53.4% were aware that eyes could be donated after death. 15.2% cases knew that cornea of the donated eyes was used for transplantation.80.3% expressed willingness to donate their eyes. Conclusion:Data from our study suggests that additional efforts are needed to improve awareness of eye donation in the community to increase the rate of procurement of corneas.