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Zhou S, Chen CM, Shen C, Liu H, Liang J, Zhou L, Qu H, Chen X. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on a world-wide private ophthalmic practice. Heliyon 2024; 10:e25841. [PMID: 38370169 PMCID: PMC10869871 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on a worldwide private ophthalmic practice. Design In this retrospective study, we reviewed the 2020 monthly outpatient and surgical volume of refractive, cataract, and retinal disease in Aier Eye clinics/hospitals of different regions, including the United States, Germany, Spain, Italy, and six major cities in China (Wuhan, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenyang, Urumqi and Yili). All of these data were compared to those of the same period of 2019. Results Overall, during the early stage (2020 January to 2020 April) of COVID-19 outbreak, the outpatient and surgical volume of three main type ocular diseases (refractive, cataract and retinal surgery) showed an obvious reduction and reached the bottom in February in China. The data from the United States, Germany, Spain and Italy revealed the same trend, but the visit count nadir occurred until April, which is consistent with the spread trend of COVID-19 disease around the world. The average change rates of surgery volume (refractive, cataract and retinal surgery) in Chinese centers are 5.59%, -26.38%, 11.76%. The change rates of refractive (REF) and cataract volumes (CAT) in the United States are -8.62% and -10.58%, in Germany are -13.71% and -20.49%, in Spain are 15.35% and 27.97%, in Italy are 30.43% and -22.64%. In addition, the optometry outpatient volumes keep going up since May, with an average increasing rate of 21.18%, ranging from 7.43% to 49.51%. Conclusion In conclusion, in this global chain of eye care units, the visit volumes of cataract, retinal and refractive changed significantly with the spread of COVID-19 pandemic. Among them, cataract surgery was the most affected sub-specialty, and refractive surgery and optometry volumes showed a potential growth in the near future. Therefore, medical institutions should make corresponding adjustments to the disease diagnosis and treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suowang Zhou
- Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, No.601, Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chloe Mengdi Chen
- Aier Eye Hospital Group, Aier Global Vision Care Management Co, China
| | - Chong Shen
- Aier Eye Hospital Group, Aier Global Vision Care Management Co, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Department of Opthalmology, Changsha Aier Eye Hospital, Changsha, China
| | - Jianheng Liang
- Department of Opthalmology, Guangzhou Aier Eye Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lijing Zhou
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
| | - Haokun Qu
- Aier Eye Hospital, Jinan University, No.601, Huangpu Road West, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Aier Eye Hospital, Shanghai, China
- Aier School of Ophthalmology, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, China
- New Bund Medical and Surgical Center, Sino United Health Clinics, Shanghai, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Aier Qingliang Eye Hospital, Qingpu, Shanghai, China
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Gurnani B, Kaur K, Rustagi IM. Is refractive enhancement a safer option for post laser in situ keratomileusis and small incision lenticule extraction regression - How far we have come? Indian J Ophthalmol 2023; 71:2597-2598. [PMID: 37322689 PMCID: PMC10417950 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_450_23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Bharat Gurnani
- Cataract, Cornea, External Diseases, Trauma, Ocular Surface and Refractive Services, Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya, Shri Sadguru Seva Sangh Trust, Janaki-kund, Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, India
| | - Kirandeep Kaur
- Cataract Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus, Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya, Shri Sadguru Seva Sangh Trust, Janaki-kund, Chitrakoot, Madhya Pradesh, India
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3
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Ophthalmologic emergency room visits during COVID-19 lockdown–Characterization from Haifa, Israel. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0273033. [PMID: 35984780 PMCID: PMC9390934 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0273033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose To characterize quantitative differences among ophthalmologic emergency room (OER) encounters at Rambam Health Care Campus during a 6-week complete lockdown at the peak of the first COVID-19 wave as compared to a corresponding uneventful period a year earlier. Methods A retrospective chart analysis of all OER encounters during the lockdown and non-lockdown period was conducted. Patients were stratified into primary ophthalmological conditions (OER visits) and cases in which ophthalmologic consultations were requested by a non-ophthalmologist (OER consultations). The following parameters were compared: total number of cases, age, gender, chief complaint/diagnosis categorized into major entities, and discharge vs. hospitalization. For continuous variables a t-test was used and for categorical variables a chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test was used. A 2-sided p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results The total number of patients in the lockdown and non-lockdown groups was 486 and 992, respectively, showing a 51% decrease in visits during lockdown. In the non-lockdown and lockdown groups 56% and 61% of patients were male (p = 0.07), with an average age of 42 (range 0–97, SD 23) and 43 (range 0–90, SD 22) years, respectively (p = 0.44). No statistically significant proportional increase was found for any diagnostic category between the OER visits (p = 0.07) and OER consultation groups (p = 0.77). Nevertheless, analysis revealed a non-significant increase in the proportion of eye trauma from 14.8% to 21.2%, and reduction in eyelid conditions from 10.7% to 5.8%. The total number of OER visits demanding urgent intervention on admission was 43 (non-lockdown) and 24 (lockdown), while hospitalization ratio (hospitalizations/visits) was 8.8% and 10.6%, respectively (p = 0.44). Conclusions During the COVID-19 lockdown the guideline for patients in Israel was to avoid unnecessary hospital visits. Since patients tended to avoid the OER rather uniformly regardless of their specific eye condition, determining the risk-benefit of such recommendations and identifying high-risk sub-populations are critical public health issues.
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Eppenberger LS, Golla K, Schmid MK. Emergency Vitrectomies for Retinal Detachment Before and During the Coronavirus Pandemic - A Retrospective Single Centre Analysis. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2022; 239:476-483. [PMID: 35472790 PMCID: PMC9042420 DOI: 10.1055/a-1808-6258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Background
While the corona pandemic and the resulting containment measures affect the number of elective surgical procedures, the impact on emergency surgical interventions is less
tangible. This analysis quantifies the frequency of emergency vitrectomies for retinal detachment and investigates underlying factors.
Methods
Retrospective identification of patients who underwent primary emergency vitrectomies for retinal detachment at the Cantonal Hospital of Lucerne between
01.01.2018 – 31.12.2020. Parameters were collected, including demographics, date of hospitalisation, reported onset of symptoms, pre-operative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),
involvement of the macula, and canton of residence.
Results
Overall, a total of 665 patients with 683 eyes underwent emergency surgery for primary retinal detachment in the time span of 01.01.2018 – 31.12.2020. Median monthly number
of surgeries was 20. During the first Swiss national lockdown (16.03.2020 – 19.04.2020), a minimum of 9 vitrectomies was recorded in March 2020. A maximum of 36 vitrectomies was conducted in
August 2020. The mean age of patients was 61.5 years. Of the 665 patients, 133 (20.0%) were residents of the canton of Ticino. Median pre-operative BCVA was 0.25 over all three years, and no
significant reduction in pre-operative BCVA was observed during or after the lockdown. The proportion of eyes with involvement of the macula was 52.2%. In 2018, this proportion (47.6%) was
significantly lower than in 2019 and 2020 (Chi
2
test, p < 0.001). However, cases with macular involvement in post lockdown months were not more frequent. Median time in days
from reported symptom onset to hospitalisation was 5 days. In April 2020, the proportion of patients with > 14 days symptom duration was significantly higher (Chi
2
test,
p < 0.001). During the lockdown, there was a significant reduction in cases from Ticino. Also, patients from Ticino showed proportionally longer symptom duration after the lockdown.
Conclusion
A significant reduction in the number of emergency vitrectomies was observed for the initial period of the coronavirus pandemic. Delayed emergency presentation is not
assumed, since there was no increase in severity (i.e. macular involvement) or prolonged symptoms in the months following the lockdown. More protracted symptoms were only observed in
patients from Ticino. The initial low numbers were generally made good later in the year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Sara Eppenberger
- Augenklinik, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Luzern, Switzerland.,Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Golla
- Augenklinik, Luzerner Kantonsspital, Luzern, Switzerland
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5
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Sanak F, Faes L, Eppenberger L, Baenninger P, Kaufmann C, Golla K, Bachmann L, Buhl D, Schmid MK, Thiel M. Effect of Protective Measures on the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Infection among Eye Clinic Staff Members. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2022; 239:605-609. [PMID: 35472816 DOI: 10.1055/a-1785-5226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Switzerland was strongly affected by the pandemic of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that resulted in a nationwide lockdown in March 2020. Ophthalmologists were at most risk of contracting a SARS-CoV-2 infection due to their close working distance from patients. The aim of the study is to evaluate the overall effectiveness of protective measures on the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection among employees in a large public eye hospital. MATERIAL AND METHODS After lifting the lockdown in April 2020, standard precaution measures were taken, such as no handshaking and the use of operating face masks and a protective plastic shield on slit lamps and diagnostic devices. Only patients with no signs of SARS-CoV-2 disease were seen during the study period. Specific anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers were measured in eye clinic employees at the end of April 2020 (1st test phase) and in January 2021 (2nd test phase). The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody titers among employees with daily patient contact was compared to staff members with no patient contact. RESULTS The SARS-CoV-2 prevalence in employees with daily patient contact, with 0% in the 1st phase and 7.4% in the 2nd phase, was not significantly higher than the prevalence in the control group with no patient contact (0.9% in the 1st phase, p = 0.4; and 8.6% in the 2nd phase, p = 0.8). Furthermore, physicians were not at a significantly higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection compared to technicians, nurses, or office staff. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the abovementioned precaution measurements are effective in preventing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in eye hospitals and enable us to resume practicing ophthalmology in a safe manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frantisek Sanak
- Ophthalmology, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Livia Faes
- Ophthalmology, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland.,Medical Retina and Uveitis, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | | | | | - Claude Kaufmann
- Ophthalmology, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Kathrin Golla
- Ophthalmology, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Lucas Bachmann
- Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.,Research Consultancy, Medignition INC, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Daniela Buhl
- Laboratory Medicine, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Martin K Schmid
- Ophthalmology, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland
| | - Michael Thiel
- Ophthalmology, Lucerne Cantonal Hospital, Lucerne, Switzerland.,Medical Faculty, University of Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland
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6
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Tsiropoulos GN, Castro DG, Ambresin A. Six Cases of Retinal Vascular Anomalies after Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Case Series. Klin Monbl Augenheilkd 2022; 239:537-544. [PMID: 35472801 DOI: 10.1055/a-1771-5695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and its rapid spread has resulted in unexplored clinical ophthalmological manifestations. This report aims to describe a series of retinal vascular anomalies diagnosed with the use of fluorescein angiography, following contraction of COVID-19. HISTORY AND SIGNS Symptoms reported by patients were central scotoma (one case), inferior scotoma (one case), and a sensation of mild loss of vision during the COVID-19 follow-up (four cases). Best-corrected visual acuity was preserved in all patients, apart from one, who had a visual acuity of 0.4, decimal scale (6/15, Snellen) in the left eye. THERAPY AND OUTCOME Clinical manifestations included bilateral retinal vasculitis (two cases), branch retinal vein occlusion (one case), branch retinal artery occlusion (one case), hemi-central retinal vein occlusion (one case), and optic disc edema due to central retinal vein occlusion (one case) occurring 0 - 8 months after COVID-19 contraction. Serological testing was performed in every patient to exclude any other recognized cause of retinal vascular occlusion and inflammation and to confirm immunity against the novel coronavirus. None of the patients required any ocular treatment. CONCLUSIONS Arterial and venous occlusive as well as inflammatory retinal vascular pathologies can occur both during and after the acute phase of COVID-19 as manifestations of ocular long-term effects of COVID-19 and should be included in the differential diagnosis of retinal occlusive pathologies. This case series suggests that careful investigations, including fundoscopy and fluorescein angiography, should be required in patients with visual complaints, both in the acute and long-term follow-up of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios N Tsiropoulos
- RétinElysée, Ophthalmology Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Visio Montchoisi, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH), Department of Health Sciences, Medical School, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Daniela Gallo Castro
- RétinElysée, Ophthalmology Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Visio Montchoisi, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Aude Ambresin
- RétinElysée, Ophthalmology Center, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Swiss Visio Montchoisi, Lausanne, Switzerland
- University of Lausanne (UNIL), Faculty of Biology and Medicine, Lausanne, Switzerland
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7
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Scarpa G, Urban F, Scarpa M, Formentini S, Beccastrini A. Intravitreal Injections during the COVID-19 Outbreak in Northern Italy: An Innovative Approach for a High Quality and Safe Treatment. Eur J Ophthalmol 2022; 32:3667-3673. [PMID: 35132906 DOI: 10.1177/11206721221078554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intravitreal injection (IVI) is a standard procedure performed in ophthalmology to treat several conditions, and is performed in different settings across countries. The Italian guidelines recommend this intervention is performed in an operating room to minimize the risk of infections, while in other countries, including Canada, USA and the UK, IVIs are performed in the ophthalmologist's office. The 2020 COVID-19 outbreak caused a dramatic modification in outpatient care. Consequently, non-urgent surgical activities, like IVIs, were subjected to a drastic reduction. METHODS We conducted observational study which investigated the outcomes of IVIs performed in an ophthalmologist's office using a mobile laminar flow unit, the Operio mobile (Toul Meditech, Operio®) versus an operating room setting. RESULTS Use of the Operio mobile allowed the safety performance of 3838 IVIs during COVID-19 and significantly reduced the waiting time of the first visit. This results in a faster intervention without affecting the technical IVI procedure that remained unchanged comparing the two settings. Specifically, we observed a 26% reduction in operation costs for each IVI performed in the office, which can be translated to a higher impact when considering the total number of IVIs performed over one year. CONCLUSION The use of the Operio mobile in an ophthalmologist's office provides flexibility to perform IVIs, assuring patient safety, reducing healthcare personnel employment times, and the waiting lists for the patients, increasing the number of surgeries and improving the cost-effectiveness of the procedure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Scarpa
- 18173Azienda ULSS n 2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Veneto, Italy
| | - Francesca Urban
- 18173Azienda ULSS n 2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Veneto, Italy
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Toro MD, Bremond-Gignac D, Brézin AP, Cummings AB, Kemer OE, Kermani O, Malyugin BE, Prieto I, Teus MA, Tognetto D, Zweifel S, Rejdak R. COVID-19 outbreak and increased risk of amblyopia and epidemic myopia: Insights from EUROCOVCAT group. Eur J Ophthalmol 2021; 32:17-22. [PMID: 34751045 DOI: 10.1177/11206721211053175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The most common cause of vision impairment in children is amblyopia. It is defined as impaired visual acuity in one or both eyes that is present with no demonstrable abnormality of the visual pathway and is not immediately resolved by wearing glasses. After the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized COVID-19 as a global pandemic on March 11, 2020, widespread changes and restrictions to social and sanitary practices have presented significant issues in access to eye care during the COVID-19 pandemic. A reduction of more than 80% in pediatric eye care volume up to its total cessation has been observed in different departments. In this scenario, reduced or absent eyesight, due to delay in timely treatment of amblyopic conditions, could create major, long-lasting effects on all aspects of life, including daily personal activities, interacting with the community, school and work opportunities and the ability to access public services. Processes coming out of lockdown should be gradually easing restrictions giving priority to ophthalmology and eye care facilities so that amblyopia does not remain unattended and irreversible as in adults due to lack of timely treatments. If not reversible, this process could lead to a dramatic increase in disability and unsustainable social costs for many governments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Damiano Toro
- Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, 49554Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.,Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Dominique Bremond-Gignac
- 246596University Hospital Necker Enfants Malades, APHP, Paris, France.,INSERM 1138, Team 17, Paris Sorbonne University, Cordeliers, Paris, France
| | | | | | | | - Omid Kermani
- Augenklinik am Neumarkt Schildergasse 107 - 109, Köln, Germany
| | - Boris Edvard Malyugin
- 96710Fyodorov Eye Microsurgery Federal State Institution, Moscow, Russian Federation.,A. Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, Russian Federation
| | | | | | | | - Sandrine Zweifel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Robert Rejdak
- Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, 49554Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
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Li J, Zhao M, She H. The impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on rhegmatogenous retinal detachment treatment patterns. BMC Ophthalmol 2021; 21:372. [PMID: 34666710 PMCID: PMC8524212 DOI: 10.1186/s12886-021-02127-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds To describe changes in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) surgical procedures in Beijing during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods A retrospective cohort of RRD patients was analyzed. Patients were divided into the COVID-19 pandemic group and pre-COVID-19 group according to their presentation. The presurgery characteristics, surgical procedures, and surgery outcomes were collected. The potential factors related to the choice of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) or scleral buckling (SB) were analyzed using logistic regression. The differences in the procedure choice under specific conditions were compared. Surgery outcomes were compared between the two groups. Results In the COVID-19 pandemic group, less patients received SB (27.8, 41.3%, p = 0.02) while more patients received PPV (72.2, 58.6%, p = 0.02); in patients who received SB, fewer patients received subretinal fluid drainage (45.4,75.7%, p = 0.01); in patients who received PPV, fewer patients received phacovitrectomy (7.0, 21.0%, p = 0.02). The choice of PPV was related to older age (1.03, p = 0.005), the presence of RRD with choroidal detachment (RRD-CD) (2.92, p = 0.03), pseudophakia (5.0, p = 0.002), retinal breaks located posterior to the equator (4.87, p < 0.001), macular holes (9.76, p = 0.005), and a presurgery visual acuity (VA) less than 0.02 (0.44, p = 0.03). Fewer phakia patients with retinal breaks located posterior to the equator (1/28, 11/30, p = 0.01) and fewer patients with chronic RRD and subretinal strand (1/9, 9/16, p = 0.03) received SB in the COVID-19 pandemic group. There were more patients with improved VA (55.7, 40.2%, p = 0.03) in the COVID-19 pandemic group. The overall single-surgery retinal attachment rate was similar in the two groups (94.9, 94.5%, p = 0.99). Conclusions During the COVID-19 Pandemic, the main reason for the increased number of PPV in RRD treatment was that more complicated cases were presented. However, the surgeons were conservative in procedure choice in specific cases. The adjustments on RRD treatments lead to comparable surgery outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jipeng Li
- Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No1. Dongjiaominxiang street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Meng Zhao
- Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No1. Dongjiaominxiang street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China.
| | - Haicheng She
- Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, No1. Dongjiaominxiang street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100730, China
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10
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Bajka A, Wiest MRJ, Hamann T, Toro MD, Zweifel SA. Assessment of Patients' Confidence Regarding a New Triage Concept in a Medical Retina Clinic during the First COVID-19 Outbreak. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:5846. [PMID: 34072435 PMCID: PMC8199092 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 05/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the first COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, a new triage concept had to be implemented for patients with retinal diseases having a scheduled appointment at the medical retina clinic. In this study, we aimed to assess patients' confidence in this triage concept and patients' satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the outbreak. METHODS This retrospective study included all patients with a diagnosed retinal disease, triaged into three priority groups based on their condition's urgency during lockdown. After restrictions were eased, a subset of previously triaged patients was interviewed to assess their confidence in the triage and their satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the pandemic. RESULTS In total, 743 patients were triaged during the lockdown. Over 80% received an urgent appointment (priority 1). Among all priority 1 patients, over 84% attended their appointment and 77% received an intravitreal injection (IVI), while 7% cancelled their appointment due to COVID-19. In post-lockdown interviews of 254 patients, 90% trusted the emergency regimen and received treatment. CONCLUSIONS Our triage seemed to be useful in optimizing access to treatment for patients with retinal diseases. An excellent rating of patients' confidence in the triage and satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the first COVID-19 outbreak could be achieved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anahita Bajka
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.B.); (M.R.J.W.); (T.H.); (M.D.T.)
- University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Maximilian Robert Justus Wiest
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.B.); (M.R.J.W.); (T.H.); (M.D.T.)
- University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Timothy Hamann
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.B.); (M.R.J.W.); (T.H.); (M.D.T.)
- University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mario Damiano Toro
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.B.); (M.R.J.W.); (T.H.); (M.D.T.)
- University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
- Chair and Department of General and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, 20079 Lublin, Poland
| | - Sandrine Anne Zweifel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland; (A.B.); (M.R.J.W.); (T.H.); (M.D.T.)
- University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
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