IJSR International Journal of Scientific Research 2277 - 8179 Indian Society for Health and Advanced Research ijsr-8-8-20165 Original Research Paper Evaluation of Willingness and Awareness regarding eye donation at a tertiary care hospital Satyanarayana Prasad Dr. August 2019 8 8 01 02 ABSTRACT

Introduction: Eye donation is an act of donating one’s eyes after his/her death. Only corneal blinds can be benefitted through this process no other Blinds. World wide, there is a tremendous shortage of corneas. This is primarily due to lack of awareness. The purpose of the study was to attain the perception data regarding eye donation and to create awareness in the community. Materials and Methods: This study focused on evaluation of willingness & awareness regarding eye donation among a total of 250 attending Government General Hospital with various medical problems. Awareness related questionnaire was “Do you know about eye donation”. Personnel who said “yes” were considered as having awareness and these people were provided with questionnaire related to willingness and source of awareness regarding eye donation. Results: Out of 250, 182 persons were aware about eye donation i.e., 72.8% and remaining 68 persons don’t have knowledge about eye donation i.e., 27.2%. Awareness noted increasingly among age group 18–40 years (77.1%), people with higher education (54.9%) and working people (89.3%). 72.3% of people gave the reason for willingness as to help blind persons. Majority of the people who are not willing to donate eye were under misconception of disfigurement of face (69.1%). Conclusion: Media, State and central health authorities can raise public awareness by conducting campaigns, putting up posters/charts during eye donation week.