A study on the perception, knowledge, attitude, and practices of eye donation among fresh medical graduates in India.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to assess the perception, knowledge, attitude, and practices of eye donation among fresh medical graduates in India.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Responses to a semi-structured questionnaire were collected from 410 respondents using an online Google Form which were analyzed using IBM SPSS software version 21.

RESULTS

First information source about eye donation was textbooks (31%), while ophthalmologists accounted for 10.7%. Forty-two respondents had pledged their eyes, 116 were willing to pledge their eyes. Majority had "adequate" knowledge (74.1%). The knowledge levels were directly related to the practice of motivation for eye donation ( = 0.032). Around 62% had "poor" eye donation practices. Significant relationship between practice and knowledge levels ( = 0.004) was noted. Participants who graduated from institutions with eye banks were more likely to have good practice ( = 0.005).

CONCLUSIONS

A curriculum focusing on practical exposure to eye donation and eye banking services would address the current deficits in eye donation. Reinforcing knowledge of eye banking among non-ophthalmologist doctors can enhance the eye donation trend. Timely counseling of patients and bystanders by well-informed sensitized doctors is hence of utmost importance.