Global impact of COVID-19 on corneal donor tissue harvesting and corneal transplantation

Abstract

IntroductionThe purpose of this review is to consolidate and examine the available literature on the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and its effect on corneal transplantation and eye banking.MethodsA primary literature search was conducted using the PubMed (Medline) database with keywords and MeSH terms such as “corneal transplantation,” “eye banks,” “keratoplasty” and then were combined with COVID-19. Relevant articles through September 2022 were assessed and 25 articles were included in this review.ResultsDonor tissue volumes declined globally during lockdown periods due to a lower number of referrals and tighter tissue screening guidelines. Rates of elective surgeries decreased in the lockdown period compared to respective periods in previous years. However, changes in rates of emergency procedures were not uniform across different regions. Moreover, rates of different elective corneal grafts [i.e., penetrating keratoplasty (PK), endothelial keratoplasty (EK), or anterior lamellar keratoplasty (ALK)] were affected differently with the pattern of change being dependent on region-specific factors.ConclusionBoth donor tissue volumes and rates of corneal transplant procedures were affected by lockdown restrictions. The underlying etiology of these changes differed by region. Examining the range of impact across many countries as well as the contributing factors involved will provide guidance for future global pandemics.

Meeting the Shortage of Human Cells and Tissues: The Andalusian Quality Assurance Programme for Tissue Donation

“…This programme has been fundamental in increasing tissue donation activity in our region, so much so that 3 years after the start of its progressive implementation, activity has increased by almost 50% overall, and by more than 50% for cornea donation. This is despite the negative impact that the coronavirus pandemic had in 2020 and 2021 on donation and transplantation activity both in Spain and in most other countries [ 12 , 13 ].…”