Purpose: To analyze the knowledge and attitude of the general population in order to identify the main deficiencies and to suggest measures to increase the number of cornea donations by the general population. Methods: Study through questionnaire polls answered by 321 people at the São Paulo Hospital. Results: Among the general population, 79.4% said to be cornea donors. The reason for the other 20.6% not to be donors was fear of trade of organ and not to receive proper treatment by the medical staff for being a potential donor. There was a statistically significant difference of knowledge about transplantation between those who said to be donors and those who did not. Conclusion: The authors concluded that better information on corneal transplantation for the general population would be of great help in increasing the number of cornea donations.
Corneal transplantation; Eye banks; Tissue donors; Organ procurement; Physician's role; Informed consent; Health education; Knowledge, attitudes, practice; Questionnaires
