Survey on Knowledge and Attitude about Eye Donation among Caregivers of Admitted Patients at Tertiary Care Hospital, Karad

Background One out of every three blind people in the world lives in India. There are 12 million people blind in India. On an average, the country needs 200, 000 corneas in a year, and only 44, 806 are collected. ObjectiveTo assess the existing level of knowledge and attitude about eye donation among caregivers of admitted patients. Methodology A cross sectional study design found to be appropriate and 524 of care givers of admitted patients selected using simple random sampling technique over the period of 3 months. A pretested Marathi structured self administered questionnaire were given for collecting the necessary information. Result The study findings revealed a relatively average level of knowledge and awareness on eye donation among patients care givers at tertiary care hospital, Karad. Conclusion, The study revealed that participants heard about eye donation but knew less about the details of eye donation like eligibility for donation, time of collection, procedure, storage of donated eye. This study also recommended that we need to work with the Ministry of Health, related government agencies, and local tertiary institutions to deliver specific and tailored programs to increase the youths knowledge and awareness of corneal donation and thereby increase local donor rates.