COVID-19 pandemic: Impact on the rate of viral conjunctivitis

Bachiller, Yolanda Conde; Gete, Belén Puente; Ibáñez, Laura Gil; Benito, Gemma; Durán, M. Asencio; Moreno, José Vicente

doi:10.1016/j.oftale.2022.01.001

Cited by 5 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…In this report, it was found that the general prevalence of conjunctivitis was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, where a significant reduction in cases of conjunctivitis can be seen when comparing the prepandemic year with the first year of the pandemic, which is consistent with other studies [12,13]. Thus, for example, Conde et al [12] documented a 48.5% reduction in cases of viral conjunctivitis in a hospital institution in Spain, while in the USA, Lavista et al [13] identified a 37.3% reduction in patients with non-allergic conjunctivitis. These changes may be due to social distancing, isolation, travel restrictions, closure of colleges and universities, less use of health services for conditions other than COVID-19, as well as a greater emphasis on hygiene and the use of personal protection elements [12,13].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…The prevalence of conjunctivitis varies according to the etiology and can be influenced by the patient's age, sex, as well as by the seasons of the year [1,11]. In this report, it was found that the general prevalence of conjunctivitis was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, where a significant reduction in cases of conjunctivitis can be seen when comparing the prepandemic year with the first year of the pandemic, which is consistent with other studies [12,13]. Thus, for example, Conde et al [12] documented a 48.5% reduction in cases of viral conjunctivitis in a hospital institution in Spain, while in the USA, Lavista et al [13] identified a 37.3% reduction in patients with non-allergic conjunctivitis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

“…Thus, for example, Conde et al [12] documented a 48.5% reduction in cases of viral conjunctivitis in a hospital institution in Spain, while in the USA, Lavista et al [13] identified a 37.3% reduction in patients with non-allergic conjunctivitis. These changes may be due to social distancing, isolation, travel restrictions, closure of colleges and universities, less use of health services for conditions other than COVID-19, as well as a greater emphasis on hygiene and the use of personal protection elements [12,13].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Indication-prescription study for the management of conjunctivitis in a Colombian population

et al. 2022

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pharmacological variables and comorbidities were considered. A descriptive analysis was performed. Results A total of 8708 patients were identified; they had a median age of 44.7 years, and 59.3% were women. The most common causes of conjunctivitis were unspecified (53.1%) and allergic (37.4%). The most commonly used drug was olopatadine (26.1%), followed by dexamethasone with neomycin and polymyxin B (25.0%). A total of 97.0% of the patients received ophthalmic prescriptions, while 12.8% received systemic medications. Glucocorticoids (40.3%), antibiotics (37.7%) and antihistamines (31.7%) were the most commonly used groups of ophthalmic drugs. Glucocorticoids and ophthalmic antibiotics were the medications most frequently prescribed by general practitioners for the treatment of viral or bacterial conjunctivitis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Indication-prescription study for the management of conjunctivitis in a Colombian population

et al. 2022

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“…Conde Bachiller et al, in their study, found a significant reduction in conjunctivitis, with the most significant decrease in viral conjunctivitis cases during COVID-19. 67 …”

Section: Positive Effects Of Covid-19mentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Covid-19 on Pediatric Ophthalmology Care: Lessons Learned

Kaur,

Muralikrishnan,

Hussaindeen

et al. 2023

PHMT

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The COVID-19 pandemic came with many new challenges that forced personal and professional lifestyle modifications. Medical facilities were in scarcity against this new unknown enemy and were challenged with the overloaded patient flow, scarcity of healthcare staff, and evolving treatment modalities with a better understanding of the virus each day. Ophthalmology as a “branch of medicine” suffered challenges initially because of a lack of guidelines for patient management, close working distance during routine examinations, and halt of major surgeries, including cataracts. Pediatric ophthalmology had major implications, as reduced outpatient visits would mean deeper amblyopia, and changed lifestyles, including online classes and home refinement, predisposing children to myopia, digital eye strain, and worsening of strabismus. COVID-19 also unveiled underlying accommodation and convergence anomalies that predisposed pediatric and adolescent patients to an increased prevalence of headache and acute onset esotropia. Teleophthalmology and other innovative solutions, including the use of prism glasses, safe slit-lamp shields, alternative ways of school screening with the use of photoscreeners, performing retinoscopy only when needed, and using autorefractors were among the few guidelines or modifications adopted which helped in the efficient and safe management of pediatric patients. Many pediatric ophthalmologists also suffered in terms of financial constraints due to loss of salary or even closure of private practices. School screening and retinopathy of prematurity screening suffered a great setback and costed a lot of vision years, data of which remains under-reported. Important implications and learnings from the pandemic to mitigate future similar situations include using teleophthalmology and virtual platforms for the triage of patients, managing non-emergency conditions without physical consultations, and utilizing home-based vision assessment techniques customized for different age groups. Though this pandemic had a lot of negative implications, the innovations, modifications, and other important learnings helped pediatric ophthalmologists in navigating safely.

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“…4,5 Public health measures aimed at reducing transmission of COVID-19 have been associated with a reduction in incidence of respiratory viruses, as well as the number of emergency department (ED) encounters for viral conjunctivitis. [6][7][8] The mean number of weekly ED visits significantly decreased with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as the landscape and utilization of healthcare in the United States drastically changed. 9 The majority of pre-pandemic ED visits (75%) were characterized as non-emergent, allowing for a substantial decline in ED presentation as deterrence from potential COVID-19 exposure grew.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Viral Conjunctivitis Rates Unchanged Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in an Ophthalmology Clinic

Piazza,

Downie,

Lee

et al. 2024

OPTH

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Background Millions of acute conjunctivitis cases occur in the United States annually. The impact of COVID-19 mitigation practices on viral conjunctivitis incidence within ophthalmology clinics has not been reported. We hypothesized that viral conjunctivitis rates would decrease with implementation of such practices. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single academic center’s ophthalmology clinics. Electronic health record data was queried using ICD-10 diagnostic codes to include 649 patients aged 2–97 with viral, bacterial, or allergic conjunctivitis diagnosed either before (6/1/2018–5/1/2019) or during (6/1/2020–5/1/2021) COVID-19 precautions. Conjunctivitis rates per ophthalmology clinic visit were compared using rate-ratio analysis. Logistic regression evaluated the effects of age, sex, and race among those with conjunctivitis. Results A total of 66,027 ophthalmology clinic visits occurred during the study period. Viral conjunctivitis rates per visit did not significantly change after enacting COVID-19 mitigation strategies, but allergic conjunctivitis rates significantly increased (viral: RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.51 to 1.31, p=0.408; allergic: RR 1.70, 95% CI 1.43 to 2.03, p<0.001). When controlling for time, younger age (≤ median age 55) (p=0.005) and Caucasian race (p=0.009) were associated with higher viral conjunctivitis frequency. Conclusion Contrary to trends reported in emergency departments, viral conjunctivitis rates within an ophthalmology clinic did not significantly change after COVID-19 mitigation strategies, though allergic conjunctivitis rates increased. Patients’ avoidance of emergency departments during the pandemic may have contributed. Further investigation is required to explore variation in ophthalmology patient populations and needs based on care setting.

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COVID-19 pandemic: Impact on the rate of viral conjunctivitis

Cited by 5 publications

References 11 publications

Indication-prescription study for the management of conjunctivitis in a Colombian population

Indication-prescription study for the management of conjunctivitis in a Colombian population

Impact of Covid-19 on Pediatric Ophthalmology Care: Lessons Learned

Viral Conjunctivitis Rates Unchanged Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic in an Ophthalmology Clinic

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