From awareness to willingness: Determinants of eye donation intent among adults in Urban India
Ankit Sanjay Varshney, Rishukumar V. Prasad, Chetna Suresh Patel, Mahendrasinh D. ChauhanABSTRACT
Context:
Corneal blindness is a major cause of avoidable visual impairment in India, with eye donation serving as the primary source of donor corneal tissue for transplantation. Despite awareness campaigns, the availability of donor corneas remains inadequate.
Aims:
To assess the awareness, knowledge, and willingness regarding eye donation among adults in Surat city and identify factors associated with willingness to donate.
Settings and Design:
A community-based descriptive–analytical cross-sectional study conducted in public and residential areas of Surat city, South Gujarat, between August 2024 and July 2025.
Subjects and Methods:
A total of 200 adults (≥18 years) residing in Surat for at least 1 year were recruited using convenience sampling. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured, pretested, closed-ended questionnaire based on the Knowledge, Attitude, Practice framework, covering sociodemographic characteristics, awareness, knowledge, and willingness toward eye donation. Composite scores were calculated for each domain, and willingness was operationally defined.
Statistical Analysis Used:
Descriptive statistics summarized participant responses. Associations were examined using Chi-square tests with Cramer’s V as the effect size. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify independent correlates of willingness to donate eyes.
Results:
Overall awareness was moderate, but operational and procedural knowledge was limited. While 59.1% knew that eye donation is possible only after death, fewer were aware that donation is free of cost (31.0%) or does not cause facial disfigurement (29.0%). Only 21.0% correctly identified the cornea as the transplanted tissue. Definite willingness to donate eyes was expressed by 35.5% of participants, with a comparable proportion uncertain. Higher awareness (aOR = 2.14; 95% CI: 1.18–3.89) and knowledge (aOR = 2.63; 95% CI: 1.42–4.86) were independently associated with willingness.
Conclusions:
Despite moderate awareness, substantial knowledge gaps and misconceptions persist, limiting willingness toward eye donation. Knowledge was a stronger determinant of willingness than demographic factors, highlighting the need for structured, knowledge-based, and family-inclusive educational interventions to improve donation intent and reduce corneal blindness.