The Role and Views of Ophthalmologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ziemssen, Focke; Kortuem, Karsten; Kortüm, Friederike

doi:10.2147/opth.s327745

Cited by 5 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…However, it should be noted that the number of injections during the period of mandatory masking was only 14,649 in that study. Despite the fact that our study included many more injections and that face masks were worn longer and more intensively in Germany than in Norway, we were unable to demonstrate an increased risk of PIE in our study population [27,28].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Legal obligation in the general population: face mask influence on endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection

Neubauer

Gklavas

Kortüm

et al. 2022

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol

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Purpose To investigate whether compulsory face masking in public life changes the incidence or pattern of post-injection endophthalmitis (PIE). Patients and methods All injections of bevacizumab, ranibizumab, aflibercept, dexamethasone or triamcinolone between 01/01/2015 and 12/31/2021 at the University Eye Clinic of Tuebingen were included in this retrospective analysis. The injection procedure itself was unchanged since 2015 and included the use of a sterile drape covering the head up to the shoulders which prevents airflow toward the eye. Furthermore, all staff wore a face mask and gloves at all times. The two study periods were defined by the introduction of a compulsory face masking rule in public life (01/01/2015 until 04/27/2020 vs. 04/28/2020 until 12/31/2021). Results A total of 83,543 injections were performed in the tertiary eye clinic, associated with a total of 20 PIE (0.024%, 1/4177 injections). Of these, thirteen PIE were documented during the pre-pandemic period (0.021%, 1/4773 injections) and seven PIE during the pandemic period (0.033%, 1/3071 injections). No significant difference in PIE risk was observed (p = 0.49), and there was no case of oral flora associated PIE. Conclusion Although some potential confounders (wearing time, skin flora) could not be considered, there was no clear signal that the introduction of compulsory face masking in public life did alter the risk for PIE in our patient population. Three and six months after PIE, no difference in visual acuity was detectable between the two study periods.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Legal obligation in the general population: face mask influence on endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection

Neubauer

Gklavas

Kortüm

et al. 2022

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol

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“…The survey (Supplementary file 1) was designed based on a literature review of studies describing the perception of ophthalmologists during the pandemic. 8,9,[11][12][13] The questions included in the survey were divided into 4 groups for analysis: 1) Operational Capacity and Precautions: This group of questions focuses on the operational capacity of hospitals and clinics during the pandemic. It explores the intensive care unit (ICU) capacity and management, availability https://doi.org/10.2147/OPTH.S434776…”

Section: Surveymentioning

confidence: 99%

Early-Phase Perceptions of COVID-19’s Impact on Ophthalmology Practice Patterns: A Survey from the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Bonilla-Escobar,

Sánchez-Cano,

Lasave

et al. 2023

OPTH

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Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic affected medical practice worldwide due to interventions to prevent spreading. Its effect on ophthalmology practices in Latin America has not yet been explored. We aimed to assess the perceptions about the pandemic from countries’ ophthalmological national and subspecialty retina societies affiliated to the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO). Patients and Methods A survey-based study of leaders of national ophthalmological and retinal societies was conducted. The survey was sent by email to 30 societies, from which 20 responded (12 countries, 66.6% response rate). It included closed- and open-ended questions about (1) operational capacity and precautions, (2) telemedicine and virtual care, (3) procedures, and (4) post-pandemic considerations. Results There was a marked decline in ophthalmology patient visits (80–95%) and elective surgeries (90%) during 2020 compared to before the pandemic. Precautions like temperature checks, mask usage, and social distancing were widely implemented while personal protective equipment (PPE) availability varied. Telemedicine use was limited due to lack of experience with it. Reopening plans focused on maintaining precautions and gradually resuming activities. Economic and security concerns were raised, and adherence to guidelines was emphasized. Respondents acknowledged the need to adapt to a “new normal”. Long duration drugs, fewer imaging studies, and shorter wait times were preferred; however, availability of long duration drugs was limited. Conclusion The pandemic impacted ophthalmology in Latin America, with reduced patient visits, procedures, and surgeries. Delayed treatment and complications were likely the result of the pandemic.

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“…It may therefore be assumed that the hospitals have made a substantial contribution to crisis management while maintaining the necessary care for urgent cases [3,12]. In addition to the legal and institutional requirements, protective measures, preoperative testing, cancellations by patients, and hygiene/distance regulations were most frequently cited as a reason for the reduction in case numbers [3].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Surgical Care in Specialist Ophthalmology Departments: Structure and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Karaca¹,

Agostini²,

Bialas³

et al. 2022

Klin Monbl Augenheilkd

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Background: Specialist ophthalmology departments contribute to the surgical care of German patients. Outpatient and inpatient surgeries were restricted during the COVID-19 pandemic and led to a sharp decline in the number of cases in ophthalmological care. The aim of this analysis was to improve the understanding of the logistic structures of medical facilities as well as the effects of the pandemic. Material/method: Based on reported process data, a sample of the specialist ophthalmological departments were examined based on OPS codes and data submitted between 01.01.2017 and 31.05.2021 according to the bench-marking program of the Professional Association of German Anaesthetists (BDA), the Professional Association of German Surgeons (BDC) and the Association for Operating Theatre Management (VOPM). Results: 18 ophthalmology departments from Germany were analysed. After the decline in the number of cases (by temporarily up to 48%) during the first wave of the pandemic, the case numbers of all interventions assessed as non-urgent continued to be reduced. While intravitreal injections hardly decreased during the first wave (-16%), significant drops in the coverage of cataract surgery (-79%), vitrectomies (-35%), glaucoma surgery (-59%), strabismus surgery (-95%) and eyelid surgery (-52%) were found. One exception was intravitreal injection, which stabilised at a lower level early on during the pandemic. Overall, the number of cases during the later phases of the pandemic were significantly reduced below the level of previous years, despite the maintenance of emergency care. The underuse was variable for different interventions. Conclusion: In addition to self-reported figures, the analysed process data demonstrates the effect that various factors had on elective as well as urgent operations within hospital care during the pandemic. Despite partial stabilisation of some services, a relevant supply gap for outpatient and inpatient interventions was identified - with corresponding effects on the eye health of the population, while compensation or performance enhancement have not taken place to date. Facing the growing preload and the demographic development, future structures must therefore allow for an increase in the performance of the specialist ophthalmological departments. Hintergrund: Ophthalmologische Hauptabteilungen tragen zur chirurgischen Versorgung deutscher Patienten bei. Ambulante und stationäre Operationen wurden im Rahmen der COVID-19 Pandemie eingeschränkt. Die Pandemie hat zu einem starken Rückgang der Fallzahlen in der augenärztlichen Versorgung geführt. Ziel dieser Analyse ist es, das Verständnis für die Versorgungsstrukturen und die Auswirkungen der Pandemie zu verbessern. Material/Methode: Auf Basis gemeldeter Prozessdaten wurde eine Stichprobe ophthalmologischer Hauptabteilungen untersucht, die OPS-Codes und Daten zwischen dem 01.01.2017 und 31.05.2021 an das Benchmarking-Programm des Berufsverbandes Deutscher Anästhesisten (BDA), des Berufsverbandes der Deutschen Chirurgen (BDC) und dem Verband für OP-Management (VOPM) übermittelten. Ergebnisse: Die ausgewerteten 18 ophthalmologischen Hauptabteilungen zeigten einen starken Rückgang stationärer und ambulanter Fallzahlen. Während die Anzahl intravitrealer Injektionen in der ersten Welle kaum zurückging (-16 %) waren für die Kataraktchirurgie (-79 %), Vitrektomie (-35 %), Glaukomchirurgie (-59 %), strabologische Eingriffe (-95 %) und Lidchirurgie (-52 %) deutliche Rückgänge zu verzeichnen. Auch nach der ersten Pandemiewelle blieben die Fallzahlen aller nicht dringlich bewerteten Eingriffe reduziert. Unabhängig von der aufrecht erhaltenen Notfallversorgung war die Minderversorgung für die untersuchten Prozeduren unterschiedlich ausgeprägt. Schlussfolgerung: Die ophthalmologische Versorgung in den untersuchten Hauptabteilungen wurde nach den gesetzlichen Vorgaben reduziert und aufrechterhalten. Trotz einer teilweisen Stabilisierung einiger Leistungen muss eine relevante Versorgungslücke für ambulante und stationäre Eingriffe – mit entsprechenden Auswirkungen auf die Gesundheit der Bevölkerung – festgestellt werden, nachdem weder Kompensation noch Leistungssteigerung bisher stattgefunden haben. Angesichts einer aufgebauten Vorlast und der demographischen Entwicklung, müssen die zukünftigen Strukturen eine Leistungssteigerung der Hauptabteilungen ermöglichen.

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The Role and Views of Ophthalmologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Cited by 5 publications

References 47 publications

Legal obligation in the general population: face mask influence on endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection

Legal obligation in the general population: face mask influence on endophthalmitis after intravitreal injection

Early-Phase Perceptions of COVID-19’s Impact on Ophthalmology Practice Patterns: A Survey from the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology

Surgical Care in Specialist Ophthalmology Departments: Structure and Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

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