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 (P = 0.032). Around 62% had “poor” eye donation practices. Significant relationship between practice and knowledge levels (P = 0.004) was noted. Participants who graduated from institutions with eye banks were more likely to have good practice (P = 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.