Eye Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Report on Patients’ Perceptions and Experiences, an Asian Perspective

Abstract

Introduction To elucidate the perceptions on eye care of patients affected by the disruption of outpatient and surgical ophthalmological services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted during the reopening of outpatient services at two tertiary eye care centres in Singapore and North India. Consecutive patients were recruited from general and specialist eye clinics in June 2020. Results A total of 326 patients were recruited, 200 patients from Singapore and 126 patients from New Delhi, India. The most common eye conditions were diabetic retinopathy and uveitis or ocular inflammatory conditions in the Indian centre, whereas the most common in the Singaporean centre were cataract in the pre- or postoperative stage and glaucoma. For patients from the Indian centre, 61.9% felt that COVID-19 had negatively impacted their eye disease, 58.7% were more distressed by their eye disease, 70.8% could not access appropriate eye care, 66.6% were afraid of contracting COVID-19 in the clinic, and 61.9% were accepting of teleconsultations. For patients from the Singaporean centre, 13.5% felt that COVID-19 had negatively impacted their eye disease, 19.5% were more distressed by their eye disease, 21.5% could not access appropriate eye care, 35% were afraid of contracting COVID-19 in the clinic, and only 31% were accepting of teleconsultations. Conclusion Patients from India appear to have been more negatively affected by the pandemic compared to patients from Singapore. This study highlights patients’ perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 on eye care, perceived risks, ease of access to care and attitudes towards eye care during the pandemic. Patients’ perceptions are integral in developing strategies for the best care possible. There were heterogeneous responses amongst our patients; hence, there may be a role for more individualized healthcare strategies in the future. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40123-021-00444-0.

Orthokeratology compliance, digital device use, and myopia control among children with myopia during COVID-19 home confinement in Taiwan

“…As reported in most COVID-19 studies, the COVID-19 pandemic increased digital and online learning time[ 20 ] and reduced outdoor activities and follow-up. [ 3 ]…”

“…In view of this, when it was not possible to effectively increase outdoor activities, health education for parents in the post-pandemic era should strengthen knowledge about near-work activities in daily life to avoid myopia progression. Similar to the study of Low et al ,[ 3 ] patients’ appointments and procedures were put on hold during the lockdown until further notice. In our study, the follow-up intervals were significantly prolonged from 3 to 4 months, and parents reported concerns about contracting COVID-19 in the clinic and felt that COVID-19 had negatively impacted their eye disease.…”

“…[ 2 ] Moreover, patients’ perceptions of the impact of COVID-19 affected their response to eyecare, perceived risks, ease of access to care, and attitudes toward eyecare during the pandemic. [ 3 ]…”

Clinical diversities of patient eye care in para-COVID-19 era in Western Odisha

“…[ 9 10 11 ] Red eye cases, perhaps due to chemical reaction of sanitizers became the most concerned problem during peak COVID. [ 12 13 14 ] Cataract surgeries done during peak covid period, were only for lens induced glaucoma and hypermature cataract and comprised only 12% as compared to pre COVID period. Only 120 minor eye surgeries were done during COVID time which included 85 cases of foreign body removal, 30 cases were incision and curetted for chalazion, 2 epilation cases for trichiasis, and excision of small pterygium in 3 patients.…”

Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Strengthening our Commitment to Eye Care

“…7 Similarly, a study in India and Singapore also reported the fear of COVID-19 infection as a cause of the decline in patient consults. 8 In response to this crisis, eye care professionals struggled to strike a balance between delivering quality eye care services while mitigating the risk of infection. Various international and local ophthalmologic professional organizations including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, 9,10 Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology, 11 and the Philippine Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery 12 have issued guidelines on the practice of ophthalmology during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”