Perception and knowledge regarding cornea donation among medical studentsof king abdulaziz university in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Background: Corneal diseases constitute a significant cause of visual impairment and blindness in the world. The only treatment available for corneal blindness is cornea transplantation. The number of corneal transplants done is far less than the actual requirement. This is actually due to the inadequate numbers of corneas collected. Medical students can be involved in the motivation of patients and relatives to pledge their eyes for cornea donation. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the awareness and perception of medical students towards cornea donation in Saudi Arabia. Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 543 undergraduate medical students during the period of 24 January to 12 February 2016. Proportionate random sampling technique was used to obtain data using a pretested self-administered questionnaire. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 16.0. Result: Almost all (99.2%) students had heard about eye donation but only 17.7% of students knew that cornea is the only part can be donated of the eye. 3.1% of students knew that the ideal time of collecting corneas from donors is within 6 hours of donors’ death. The main source of information on cornea donation was mass media among 41% of students. No students have ever pledge for cornea donation. Lack of awareness (68.5%) and Objection by family members (19.9%) were the main reasons for not pledging. About 74.2% students were willing to donate their corneas to save vision of people in need. Conclusion: our results showed that majority of medical students have low or no knowledge on cornea donation. There were many gaps identified in their knowledge which can be bridged only by building awareness programs and campaigns to clear their misconceptions and week knowledge about cornea donation