Heather M Machin1,2, Lisa Buckland3, Christine Critchley4,5, Steven Wiffen3, Gerard Sutton6,7, Paul N Baird2. 1. Lions Eye Donation Service, Centre for Eye Research Australia, Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, East Melbourne, Australia. 2. University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 3. Lions Eye Bank of Western Australia, Lions Eye Institute, Nedlands, Australia. 4. Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia. 5. Centre for Law and Genetics, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia. 6. The University of Sydney, Save Sight Institute, Discipline of Ophthalmology, Sydney Medical School, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. 7. The University of Technology Sydney, Graduate School of Health, Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: 12.7 million people await a corneal transplant, but 53% are without access to corneal tissue. Sharing corneal tissue across nations can provide some access, however the willingness of export populations, like Australians, to export their donation on death, has never been evaluated. Our research samples the Australian population, determining their willingness to export. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We conducted e-surveys. N = 1044 Australians participated. The sample represented the Australian population, based on population demographics. Chi-Square and bivariate correlation coefficients examined associations between categorical variables, with a sample size of N = 1044, power of 0.80, and alpha of p = 0.05. Outcome measures were based on population sampling, by exploring willingness export, through the e-survey method. RESULTS: 38% (n = 397) of respondents said yes to exportation, 23.8% (n = 248) said no, and 38.2% (n = 399) were undecided. We found no relationship between willingness to export and general demographics, though those registered on the Donatelife Register (p = < .001), and those already willing to donate their eyes (p = < .001) were significantly more willing to export. DISCUSSION: More Australians are willing to export their corneas than not, though a significant portion remain undecided. The Donatelife Register, and donation awareness, are key components of respondent decision making. Therefore, the provision of information about exportation prior to, and at the point-of-donation, is essential for assisting Australian's to decide to export or not. Further examination and development of consent-for-export systems are necessary before routine exportation is undertaken.
BACKGROUND: 12.7 million people await a corneal transplant, but 53% are without access to corneal tissue. Sharing corneal tissue across nations can provide some access, however the willingness of export populations, like Australians, to export their donation on death, has never been evaluated. Our research samples the Australian population, determining their willingness to export. MATERIALS AND METHOD: We conducted e-surveys. N = 1044 Australians participated. The sample represented the Australian population, based on population demographics. Chi-Square and bivariate correlation coefficients examined associations between categorical variables, with a sample size of N = 1044, power of 0.80, and alpha of p = 0.05. Outcome measures were based on population sampling, by exploring willingness export, through the e-survey method. RESULTS: 38% (n = 397) of respondents said yes to exportation, 23.8% (n = 248) said no, and 38.2% (n = 399) were undecided. We found no relationship between willingness to export and general demographics, though those registered on the Donatelife Register (p = < .001), and those already willing to donate their eyes (p = < .001) were significantly more willing to export. DISCUSSION: More Australians are willing to export their corneas than not, though a significant portion remain undecided. The Donatelife Register, and donation awareness, are key components of respondent decision making. Therefore, the provision of information about exportation prior to, and at the point-of-donation, is essential for assisting Australian's to decide to export or not. Further examination and development of consent-for-export systems are necessary before routine exportation is undertaken.