Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice Toward Corneal Donation among Deceased’s Family in Singapore

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the beliefs and knowledge of patients next-of-kin (NOK) regarding corneal donation in Singapore and understand their motivations for deciding to donate their NOK’s corneas. Secondary outcomes include identifying potential platforms for public education on corneal donation and understanding organ donation laws. Materials and Methods: After obtaining informed consent, 100 NOK of deceased patients at a tertiary care hospital in Singapore completed a survey. The survey gathered demographic data, the decision to donate NOK’s cornea, motivations for that decision, and knowledge about corneal donation and the Human Organ Transplant Act (HOTA). Results: Of the 100 participants, 22 (45.5% female) were willing to donate (WTD), and 77 (53.2% female) were unwilling to donate (UWTD). The primary motivation for WTD was the desire to perform a good deed ( n = 20, 90.91%), whereas the main reason for UWTD was wanting to keep their NOK’s body intact ( n = 42, 45.45%). The overall understanding (range, 0–12) of corneal donation (4.48 ± 2.08) and HOTA (0.495 ± 1.053) was poor. WTD was higher among those aged above 50 (34.21% vs. 15.25% for ≤50 years, P = 0.4484), despite similar knowledge levels. WTD did not vary by educational qualifications, but varied by religion, with Hindus showing the highest willingness (25%) and Muslims the lowest (0%). The preferred education platforms included public talks ( n = 98) and social media ( n = 98). Conclusion: Many NOKs are UWTD for various reasons, primarily due to poor understanding. Enhancing education on organ transplant laws in Singapore and promoting earlier conversations on donation can address fears and potentially increase corneal donation rates.