Willingness towards eye donation: A public health necessity in Pakistan

Abstract

Introduction: According to the WHO, a person is said to be blind when he/she has visual acuity of less than 3/60, and/or a corresponding visual field of less than 10°; for a smaller diameter, in the better eye with the best possible correction. At present, approximately 39 million individuals are bilaterally blind, and another 285 million with severe visual impairment.
 Objective: To assess the willingness and knowledge of the people regarding eye donation and to evaluate factors associated with eye donation.
 Methodology: This cross-sectional study was carried out in the outdoor patient department (OPD) of two governments and two private tertiary healthcare hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A total of 360 individuals who visited OPD of the tertiary health care hospitals were included. Data were obtained by using an interview-based questionnaire after taking informed consent. Inferential analysis was done by applying the Chi-Square test and binary logistic regression.
 Results: Out of 360 respondents, the majority were males 201. 276 were willing to donate their eyes. Willingness showed a statistically significant association with occupation. 175 had good knowledge regarding eye donation. Male respondents had 3 times more knowledge regarding eye donation as compared to females. Respondents having an age higher than 30 years had 2 times high knowledge as compared to individuals having an age less than 30 years. 
 Conclusion: The majority of the people showed willingness but had little knowledge regarding eye donation procedures and eye banks in Pakistan.