A Cross-sectional Study to Estimate Level of Awareness about Eye Donation and Willingness to Donate Eyes among the Students of MBBS Degree in a Medical College in North Maharashtra Region
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Abstract
Background: Corneal blindness is a significant public health challenge in India, with transplantation being the only curative option. Despite high awareness, the supply of donor corneas remains inadequate. Medical students, as future influencers of healthcare policy and community attitude, play a vital role in bridging this gap.
Aim: To assess the knowledge, awareness, and willingness regarding eye donation among undergraduate MBBS students in a medical college in North Maharashtra.
Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 174 undergraduate medical students. A pre-validated semi-structured questionnaire was administered via Google Forms to assess demographics, knowledge levels, and attitudes toward eye donation. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics.
Results: General awareness of eye donation was near-universal (95.98%), and 85.63% were aware of eye banks. However, specific knowledge regarding eligibility was suboptimal; 25.29% were unaware that age is not a bar to donation, and nearly 40% incorrectly believed cataract surgery disqualifies a donor. While 74.71% of students were willing to pledge their eyes, the primary barrier among the unwilling was a lack of knowledge regarding the process (45.16%), followed by family objections (25.81%).
Conclusion: While medical students possess high superficial awareness, critical gaps exist regarding technical eligibility and procedural details. The findings underscore the need for vertical integration of organ donation modules in the medical curriculum to convert passive awareness into active advocacy.
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References
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