Characterization of ophthalmology virtual visits during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives To characterize the use of virtual visits, as well as compare the characteristics to in-person visits during the pandemic period. Methods This retrospective study included patients who had virtual and in-person ophthalmology visits from March 19, 2020, to July 31, 2020, in a large multispecialty ophthalmic center. Exclusion criteria included patients aged less than 18 years old; canceled, incomplete, mislabelled, and duplicated visits. 2943 virtual and 56,174 in-person visits were identified. A random sample of 3000 in-person visits was created. Each visit was analyzed as an individual data point. Results 2,266 virtual visits (2,049 patients, 64.3% female, mean [SD] age 64.3 [16.6] years old) and 2590 in-person visits (2509 patients, 59.5% female, 65.9 [15.8] years old) were included. Most virtual visits were classified as comprehensive ophthalmology (34.6%), optometry-related (19.5%), and oculoplastics (13.0%). For in-person visits, the most common specialties were optometry (29.8%), comprehensive ophthalmology (23.9%), and retina and uveitis (17.3%). The most common diagnoses in the virtual group were from the eyelids, lacrimal system, and orbits group (26.9%), while in the in-person groups were choroid and retina conditions (19.3%). Conclusions Numerous ocular conditions were evaluated and managed through virtual visits, and external complaints and oculoplastic consults appear to be well-suited to the virtual format. Further studies focusing on visual outcomes and patient experience will be beneficial.

Acute anterior uveitis following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection

“…In addition, reactivation of unilateral AAU in patients who had just recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported [3]. The COVID-19 pandemic has revolutionized medical and patient care practices worldwide in several fields, not just in ophthalmology [4,5]. During the pandemic, patients are restricted from visiting an ophthalmic clinic.…”

Coronavirus Disease 2019–Related Health Disparities in Ophthalmology with a Retrospective Analysis at a Large Academic Public Hospital

“…Our study observed the average time for follow-up for patients during the initial surge of COVID-19 at an academic center; the impact of COVID-19 on access to ophthalmic care should continue to be studied. Several studies have identified the changes in ophthalmic care, from decreases in the number of in-person visits to increases in telemedicine use, and the impact on vision [32,49,50]. One retrospective analysis of medical retina patients in Australia found an average delay of 8 weeks or more in 40% of patients, with patients with neovascular macular degeneration experiencing the greatest vision loss from treatment delay [32].…”

Educating Optometry Undergraduates Through Telemedicine: The Optometry Educator’s Perspectives

“…In eye care services, telemedicine has been used for screening and diagnosing ocular disease (Sommer & Blumenthal, 2020;Valentim et al, 2022), low vision rehabilitation (Christy et al, 2022), consultation (Mansoor et al, 2021), and triaging patients for appointment referral (Phu et al, 2021). Although telemedicine has been long available, the pandemic precipitates immediate demand to extend ophthalmic care delivery.…”