Specific Unwillingness to Donate Eyes: The Impact of Disfigurement, Knowledge and Procurement on Corneal Donation

Abstract

Although willingness, attitudes and beliefs surrounding solid-organ donation have been extensively investigated, much less is known about corneal donation. Despite evidence that a substantial number of families who agree to multiorgan donation also specifically refuse corneal donation, it is unclear why this occurs and what can be done to increase rates of corneal donation. We conducted a survey of 371 Australian adults regarding their views on corneal donation. Although willingness to donate corneas generally reflected a person's willingness to donate all of one's organs, unwillingness to donate corneas appeared to be due to other factors. Specifically, decisions not to donate appear to be driven by a range of concerns surrounding disfigurement. The survey also provides eye banks with reassurance about the acceptability of whole globe procurement, and recognition that research into blindness is a highly valued part of corneal donation. Finally, the survey identifies that many individuals see benefit in having their family engaged in the decision-making process, suggesting that decisions about donation are more complex than a simple appeal to the autonomy of the deceased.

Attitudes toward postmortem cornea donation in Germany: a multicenter survey

“…These findings are in contrast with previous reports [5,[17][18][19][20][21][22]. For example, in 2001, Sundmacher and Reinhard reported in a local analysis a 30-50 % rate of acceptance regarding postmortem cornea donation in Germany [12].…”

Knowledge, Attitude and Willingness for Eye Donation in General Population of Odisha inEastern India

“…(Table-II) 43.1%(195) of our participants thought that eye donation means removal of cornea which is similar to the study done by Ronaki et al(54.9%) . [9] 49.5 %( 224) knew that eye donation does not cause disfigurement as artificial prosthesis was given after collection of cornea which is similar to the study by Patil et al (39%), [6] Lawlor et al [19] and low in comparison to Ronaki et al (73.5%)and Bhandary et al(76.2%). [9,15] 43.1%(195)were aware that spectacle users,diabetics,hypertensives and post cataract surgery persons can donate their eyes, which is similar to the study of Ronaki et al(45.4%) .…”

Lamellar Keratoplasty Treatment of Fungal Corneal Ulcers With Acellular Porcine Corneal Stroma

“…With the increasing worldwide shortage of donor corneas for keratoplasty, there is a greater need to find a suitable substitute for donor corneas (15). As early as 2003, Amano et al suggested that heterogeneous corneal stromas, especially porcine corneal stromas, could be ideal alternatives to human corneas due to their lower antigenicities, as demonstrated in in vitro corneal tissue engineering, and transparently healing, as shown in animal experiments (16).…”