Corneal problems cause a significant proportion of blindness in India. Once corneal opacity is established, restoration of their vision is possible only through transplantation of cornea from donated eyes. Eye donations are dependent on people willing to pledge their eyes. PURPOSE: To determine "awareness of eye donation" and knowledge regarding eye donation and factors affecting in an adult population of northern India. METHODS: 550 Subjects who accompanied patients attending four ophthalmic clinics were interviewed using structured questionnaire. The information was collected about socio demographic profile, awareness of eye donation, knowledge about its various aspects and pledge to donate eye, reasons for donating or not donating eyes and sources of information. Data analyzed using SPSS software, Chi square test was used to test significance across category and p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Out 550 subjects 44.2% were in 18-35 years and 55.8 % were >35 yrs old. Majority was Hindu (76.73%) and males (71.64%). 78% subjects were aware of eye donation. The major source of awareness was AV aids (89%). Awareness was found to be high as age and education increases, in males, and in urban population. Significant difference (p<.05) was found between awareness and various variables except religion. 27% knew that relative can make pledge, only cornea is transplanted is known to 25.2%, 44.7% were aware about ideal time of eye removal and only 12 (2.8%) had pledged their eyes. 250(58.3%) subjects were aware but not willing to pledge their eyes or relatives eyes. Need more information to decide (79.2%), perceived objection by family members (52%) and religious reason (38.8%) were cited as major factors for not willing to pledge eyes. Nobility (76%) and pleasure (17.9%) was the main motivational force stated for willingness to donate eyes. CONCLUSION: There is good level of awareness in urban population still very less subjects is willing to pledge eyes major factor being insufficient knowledge. Targeting on aspects in which knowledge was found to be low might help to increase eye donation.

Ophthalmomyiasis is the infestation of human eye by the larvae of certain flies. Sheep botfly commonly manifests as Ophthalmomyiasis externa when there is conjunctival involvement or rarely as Opthalmomyiasis interna when there is larval penetration into the eyeball. It appears to be more common than what has been indicated by previously published reports. We present a report of seven cases of Ophthalmomyiasis by Oestrus ovis, from central India who presented with features of conjunctivitis varying between mild to severe. The larvae were seen in bulbar and palpebral conjunctiva and also entangled in lashes with discharge. Since the larvae are photophobic, it is prudent to look for them in the fornices and also in discharge. Prompt removal of the larvae from the conjunctiva helps in relieving the symptoms and also prevents serious complications. Taxonomic identification of the species is important to estimate the risk of globe penetration by the larvae.

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mately 6.8 million people have been estimated to have vision less than 6/60 in at least one eye due to corneal diseases; of these, about a million have bilateral involvement. [3,4] The burden of corneal disease in our country is reflected by the fact that 90% global cases of ocular trauma and corneal ulceration leading to corneal blindness occur in developing countries. [5] The prevalence of corneal blindness varies from country to country and even from one population to another. Its epidemiology is complicated and encompasses a wide variety of infectious and inflammatory eye diseases. As trachoma and vitamin A deficiency become less common, suppurative keratitis is becoming the major cause of corneal blindness in the developing world. [6] Whereas contact lens use is a major risk factor for corneal ulceration in the developed world, a high prevalence of fungal infections, agriculture-related trauma, and use of traditional eye medicines (TEMs) is unique to the developing world. [7,8] Background: Instillation of traditional eye medicines (TEMs) into the eye is one of the causes associated with poor visual outcome and corneal blindness. Objective: To determine the use of TEM and factors for its use in patients with corneal ulcer. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was conducted on 189 new patients with corneal ulcer attending cornea clinic of Gandhi Memorial Hospital, Rewa, Madhya Pradesh (India). After complete eye examination, information was collected for use of TEM, sociodemographic profile, symptoms necessitating its use, and complication. Necessary treatment was given and final visual outcome was noted. Lab investigations were performed to identify organism. Result: TEM was used by 38% subjects, especially females and subjects residing in rural areas were found to be significantly associated with its use. Majority of TEM users were farmers (51.4%). The most common symptom was poor vision (66.7%) for use of TEM. Breast milk (40%) and plant products (29%) were most commonly applied TEMs. Central and entire corneal involvement was found to be significantly high among TEM users. Scarring and perforation occurred in 70.8% and 31.9% TEM users, respectively. No significant difference was found between organism identified and the use of TEM. Visual acuity up to 6/18 was found to be higher among non-TEM users (23.9%) as compared to TEM users (9.7%). At presentation, 38.9% TEM users had already lost their vision. Significant difference was found between presenting visual acuity and final visual acuity achieved in both groups. Conclusion: Intensive health education is needed for encouraging the uptake of eye care services, particularly in rural areas.

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