EYE DONATION: PERCEPTION AND PROMOTING FACTORS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS

Abstract

Introduction: There are 2 million corneal blind in India with a big gap between corneal demand and supply. The Govt. of Haryana by launching Nehru Drishti Yojna has taken a big step to eliminate corneal blindness from Haryana. Medical students are from a different educational background with a scientific base and thus have a pivotal role play in becoming as role models and mass educators. Objective: To assess the perception of medical students regarding eye donation. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among medical students of MMIMSR, Mullana, Ambala. A pretested, semi-structured questionnaire was used for collecting the necessary information after getting informed consent. The data was statistically analyzed using SPSS version 11.5 software. Results: 96% of the students knew about corneal donation though only 67% were willing for eye donation. Nobility was the major inspiring force for eye donation.13% reported, objection by family and 3.2% reported religious factors as restrictions for eye donation. There were many misconceptions regarding eye donation.27% thought that eye donation would result in delay in funeral arrangements. Conclusion: There is an imperative need to emphasize undergraduate teaching to evade myths concerning eye donation and promote eye donation.