DOI: 10.4103/jocr.jocr_24_26 ISSN: 2950-3817

To Evaluate the Outcome of the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Program in a Medical College in Uttarakhand

Harshit Bhatt, Tarannum Shakeel, Priyanka Gupta
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Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcome of the Hospital Cornea Retrieval Programme (HCRP) in a medical college in Uttarakhand. Study Design: Hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Methods:

The attendants of deceased patients eligible for eye donation were counselled in various intensive care units (ICUs) and wards over a 18-month period. The HCRP’s success rate was calculated as the proportion of counselled potential donors who converted into actual donors.

Results:

Out of 388 potential donors, successful corneal retrieval was achieved in 64 cases (16.5%). The majority of successful retrievals belonged to the 41 to 60 years age group (53 cases, 82.8%; P =0.008). The mean age of the potential donors was 58.65 ± 16.45 years. A statistically significant association was also observed between successful retrieval and the patient’s place of residence, with higher conversion rates among those from urban backgrounds ( P =0.04). Gender and religion did not show a statistically significant impact on donation rates.

Conclusion:

India lags significantly behind its target corneal procurement rate, underscoring the need to improve collection strategies. HCRP should be prioritized to increase the number of eye donations. Creating awareness using both technological and conventional methods, alongside effective grief counselling, is key to achieving success and combating corneal blindness.

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