<p>A Survey on the Impact of COVID-19 on Lacrimal Surgery: The Asia-Pacific Perspective</p>

Abstract

Aim To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic-related lockdown on lacrimal surgery among oculoplastic surgeons in the Asia-Pacific region. Methods An institutional board review approved anonymous electronic survey was sent out via email to oculoplastic surgeons across the Asia-Pacific region. All responses were tabulated and analysed. Results A total of 259 valid responses were received. Nearly 87% of the surgeons agreed that lacrimal procedures were associated with a high risk of COVID-19 transmission. In all, at the time of taking the survey, 151/259 (58.3%) of the surgeons were not performing any lacrimal surgeries in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and 71/259 (27.4%) of the respondents were only performing emergency lacrimal surgeries. External dacryocystorhinostomy was the most commonly performed lacrimal procedure across the region and lacrimal procedures contributed to at least 25% of the income for nearly a third of the respondents. Majority of the respondents were female (52.9%), but a significantly higher proportion of male oculoplastic surgeons were still performing lacrimal surgeries during the lockdown. Over 75% of respondents indicated that resuming lacrimal procedures is important to their practice. Conclusion The survey showed that there was a general agreement among the surveyed oculoplastic surgeons in the Asia-Pacific region that lacrimal procedures were associated with a high risk of COVID-19 transmission and over 85% of them of had either stopped performing elective lacrimal surgeries altogether or were providing only emergent care. It is likely that not performing elective lacrimal procedures, COVID-19 has financially impacted a high percentage of the surveyed oculoplastic surgeons.

The Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on the Ocular Surface and Prevention Strategies

“…In India, eight out of the 20 eye banks did not collect corneal tissue from April to June 2020, and the number of transplants dropped by two-thirds [ 102 ]. In addition, more than half of the surgeons decided not to perform oculoplastic surgeries in consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, and about 1/4 of the surgeons performed only emergency surgery [ 103 ]. Delays in vitreous injections for the treatment of retinal diseases also occurred, with a delay of more than two months and the need for three or more injections in the past being significant poor prognostic factors for visual outcome in diabetic macular edema patients and macular degeneration [ 104 , 105 ].…”

Ophthalmology practice during COVID-19 pandemic: A survey of Indian ophthalmologists

“…[ 17 ] The rise in telemedicine was a boon for both the patients and doctors during the challenging time of COVID-19 as physical consultations would have increased the risk of exposure to COVID-19. [ 18 19 ] Although application-based telemedicine provides an organized platform for teleophthalmology, the results of the current study suggest that it was used only by a limited number of participant ophthalmologists. The reason for this could be the non-familiarity of doctors as well as patients regarding its use, whereas directly contacting through telephonic call and WhatsApp was much easier for both.…”

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

“…Similarly in Hong Kong, elective patient attendance was reduced by 24.6% through active screening and postponement of non-urgent visits [ 8 ]. A survey amongst oculoplastic surgeons in the Asia–Pacific also revealed that 85% of them ceased elective lacrimal procedures presumably because of the associated risk of COVID-19 transmission [ 9 ]. The results from our survey show similar trends such that half of our survey respondents had experienced cancellations or postponement of appointments.…”