Awareness about eye donation in medical undergraduates across Maharashtra: a cross-sectional study

Background: Corneal blindness is a major health concern in India, where donor shortages persist despite transplantation being the primary restorative therapy. This study assessed the knowledge, awareness, and attitudes regarding eye donation among MBBS students and interns across Maharashtra. Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed 755 MBBS students and interns across Maharashtra (April to December 2024) using purposive sampling. Data gathered via a self-administered Google form were evaluated using descriptive statistics (frequencies and percentages). Results: Among 755 participants (53.7% male, 90% urban, 84.7% Hindu), 98.8% knew eyes can be donated, learning primarily from social media (39.2%) and textbooks (33.5%). Most recognized the cornea as the transplantable tissue (89%), keratoplasty as the surgical procedure (82.1%), the 4-6-hour post-mortem retrieval window (57.5%), and universal eligibility across genders (95.6%) and blood groups (96%). However, only 32.8% correctly identified Optisol GS as the storage medium (30.3% chose formalin), 29.1% knew of nearby eye banks, and 54.5% recognized national programs. While 64.5% were willing to pledge their eyes and 66.8% acknowledged a national donor deficit, direct exposure was low: only 34.6% knew a donor and 28.1% knew a recipient. Conclusions: Despite high baseline awareness and positive attitudes, significant gaps exist in procedural and preservation protocols. Structured training, eye-bank postings, and practical exposure are vital to equip future clinicians for effective donor advocacy.