An eye bank screens potential donors' medical histories before accepting corneal tissue. Which of the following causes of death is an absolute contraindication to corneal donation?
- A Death due to rabies ✓
- B Death due to myocardial infarction
- C Death due to road traffic accident
- D Death due to carcinoma of the lung
Correct answer: A. Death due to rabies
Explanation
Rabies is an absolute contraindication because the virus can be transmitted through corneal transplantation, and documented cases of recipient infection exist. Other contraindications include HIV, hepatitis A and C, septicaemia, leukaemia and lymphoma, and death from unknown cause. Road traffic deaths are a major source of donated corneas, myocardial infarction poses no ocular risk, and non-ocular malignancy such as lung carcinoma does not contraindicate donation.
Reference: Khurana's Comprehensive Ophthalmology, 7th ed.
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