G Golchet1, J Carr, M G Harris. 1. Morton D. Sarver Laboratory for Cornea and Contact Lens Research, University of California, School of Optometry, Berkeley, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Organ donation provides a second chance for those who have experienced severe disease or injury. Unfortunately there is a huge discrepancy between the supply and demand of transplantable organs, despite the existence of sufficient numbers of potential donors. Through a review of the literature and a survey of optometry students, this article provides insight into the reasons for the shortage of corneal donors and how more corneal donors might be obtained. METHOD: A survey of 200 optometry students at the University California, Berkeley, School of Optometry was conducted to augment the literature review. Seventy-six students (38% of those surveyed) completed the survey process. RESULTS: Results of the survey indicated that 64.5% of who responded were willing to donate body organs, while 31.6% were not. Of those not willing to donate organs, 11.8% cited religious reasons. Other personal reasons included: fear (4%), respect for the human body (7.9%), and parental disapproval (6.4%). Only 46.1% of respondents had donation stickers on their driver's licenses. CONCLUSION: The literature review and survey indicate that age, religion, culture, personality characteristics, views on death and mortality, body image, and humanitarian concerns are among the many factors that influence people's opinion concerning organ donations. Education of the public and health care professionals' awareness of the importance of obtaining corneas for donation is crucial to end the shortage of organ donors.
BACKGROUND: Organ donation provides a second chance for those who have experienced severe disease or injury. Unfortunately there is a huge discrepancy between the supply and demand of transplantable organs, despite the existence of sufficient numbers of potential donors. Through a review of the literature and a survey of optometry students, this article provides insight into the reasons for the shortage of corneal donors and how more corneal donors might be obtained. METHOD: A survey of 200 optometry students at the University California, Berkeley, School of Optometry was conducted to augment the literature review. Seventy-six students (38% of those surveyed) completed the survey process. RESULTS: Results of the survey indicated that 64.5% of who responded were willing to donate body organs, while 31.6% were not. Of those not willing to donate organs, 11.8% cited religious reasons. Other personal reasons included: fear (4%), respect for the human body (7.9%), and parental disapproval (6.4%). Only 46.1% of respondents had donation stickers on their driver's licenses. CONCLUSION: The literature review and survey indicate that age, religion, culture, personality characteristics, views on death and mortality, body image, and humanitarian concerns are among the many factors that influence people's opinion concerning organ donations. Education of the public and health care professionals' awareness of the importance of obtaining corneas for donation is crucial to end the shortage of organ donors.
Authors: Christina Zarouchlioti; Beatriz Sanchez-Pintado; Nathaniel J Hafford Tear; Pontus Klein; Petra Liskova; Kalyan Dulla; Ma'ayan Semo; Anthony A Vugler; Kirithika Muthusamy; Lubica Dudakova; Hannah J Levis; Pavlina Skalicka; Pirro Hysi; Michael E Cheetham; Stephen J Tuft; Peter Adamson; Alison J Hardcastle; Alice E Davidson Journal: Am J Hum Genet Date: 2018-03-08 Impact factor: 11.025
Authors: Armin Wolf; Burkhard von Jagow; Daniel Kook; Elisabeth M Messmer; Carlo A Lackerbauer; Anselm Kampik; Thomas Kohnen; Martin Grueterich Journal: Clin Ophthalmol Date: 2012-07-17