Impact of Counseling on the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme: A Prospective Study

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Transplantation Medicine

Background:

• Corneal blindness is a significant global health issue, particularly in India, impacting quality of life.
• The Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme (HCRP) aims to increase corneal tissue availability for transplantation.
• Effective counseling is crucial for encouraging eye donation and supporting corneal retrieval.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of counseling on awareness and willingness for eye donation within the HCRP.
• To assess changes in knowledge and intent regarding eye donation after counseling interventions.

Main Methods:

• An 18-month prospective observational study at Gandhi Medical College, Bhopal, India.
• Involved 58 attendants of critically ill/deceased patients counseled by trained grief counselors.
• Structured questionnaires assessed awareness and willingness before and after counseling.

Main Results:

• Pre-counseling, 53.4% were unaware of cornea retrieval; post-counseling, all participants had some awareness.
• Willingness to donate corneas increased from 0% to 10.3% after counseling.
• Higher education and socioeconomic status correlated with increased willingness.

Conclusions:

• Counseling effectively enhances awareness of eye donation across demographics.
• Counseling's effect on willingness to donate corneas was modest, suggesting a need for deeper interventions.
• Targeted, culturally sensitive strategies are required to improve corneal donation rates in India.