Awareness and post counselling acceptance of eye donation in a tertiary care centre in Northern Kerala

ABSTRACT

Background: Corneal diseases are among the major cause of vision loss and blindness in the world today. Corneal transplantation remains the mainstay of treatment. Hence creation of awareness carries paramount importance. Aim of this study is to assess the awareness about eye donation amongst attendants of deceased patients, their willingness to donate eyes and the reasons for poor donation rate. To assess the efficacy of grief counselling by Eye Donation Counsellor (EDC), its impact on the conversion rateMethods: A prospective hospital based study was done in 135 participants (guardians of deceased subjects) admitted in intensive care units, from June 2017 to June 2018. Counsellor accompanied with a junior resident would first screen the cases. Relatives of suitable cases were approached and counselled in a systematic manner following a standard interview pattern. Responses were noted in a predesigned proforma.Results: Among 618 deceased cases 135 potential donors were identified.57.8% next of kin were aware of the concept of eye donation, but 42.2% were not. After counselling, willingness for eye donation was seen in 54.1%, others refused. Among 57.8% kin who were aware, 51.3% gave consent. Prior knowledge of eye donation, literacy and socioeconomic status did not have any significant influence on willingness. Counselling was found to be the best method to facilitate eye donation.Conclusions: An active counselling by eye donation counsellor is the main factor which is responsible for eye donation.