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Hospital corneal retrieval program: A long way to go
Anu Jain1, Snigdha Sen1, Prerna Upadhyay2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Sarojini Naidu Medical College, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology
|March 8, 2024
Summary
Healthcare workers (HCWs) show low awareness and willingness for eye donation, regardless of hospital eye bank services. Sensitizing HCWs is crucial for the Hospital Corneal Retrieval Program (HCRP).
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Medical Education
Background:
- The Hospital Corneal Retrieval Program (HCRP) relies on healthcare workers (HCWs) to encourage eye donation.
- Improving HCW sensitization is key to boosting HCRP effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess awareness, knowledge, and attitudes towards eye donation among HCWs.
- To identify differences in these factors between HCWs in institutions with and without eye bank facilities.
Main Methods:
- A multicentric, cross-sectional, descriptive study was conducted.
- A structured questionnaire assessed 4060 HCWs across three medical colleges.
- Participants were categorized into groups based on the presence (Group A) or absence (Group B) of eye bank services.
Main Results:
- Awareness and perception regarding eye donation showed no significant difference between the groups.
- While most HCWs were comfortable discussing eye donation, many found it insensitive for terminally ill patients.
- Less than half of HCWs expressed willingness to donate eyes, and many desired more information.
Conclusions:
- Eye donation awareness among HCWs is alarmingly low, irrespective of institutional eye bank services.
- There is a critical need for accelerated efforts to sensitize HCWs to strengthen the HCRP.
