Prioritising of Retinal Diseases During Covid-19 Outbreak

Authors : İnci Elif ERBAHÇECİ TİMUR, Nagihan UĞURLU

Pages : 211-219

Doi:10.5798/dicletip.1313332

View : 19 | Download : 25

Publication Date : 2023-06-12

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine a management strategy for patients with retinal diseases to minimise the potential risk of visual impairment due to the postponement of treatments and visits during the lockdown for COVID-19. Methods: Records of all patients who had rescheduled for retina appointments from March 20, 2020, to June 1, 2020, were identified to evaluate the details regarding best-corrected visual acuity insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BCVA); before the COVID-19 pandemic insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(V0 visit); and at the first visit after lockdown insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(V1 visit);; primary diagnosis, duration of postponement insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(weeks);, change in Snellen line and intravitreal injection insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(IVI); requirement were recorded. Patients were rescheduled according to our diagnosis-based triage practice pattern; emergency, Group 1; urgent, Group 2; routine, Group 3; and elective, Group 4. BCVA, loss of Snellen line, IVI requirement, and duration of postponement were compared between V0 and V1 visits. In addition, BCVA, change in Snellen line, and the relationship between loss in Snellen line and duration of postponement was evaluated in intravitreally injected patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(nAMD); and diabetic macular edema insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(DME);. Results: A total of 1,383 eyes of 763 patients were recruited in this study. The difference in BCVA at V0 visit was statistically significant among the groups and better in Group 4 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.000);. BCVA at V1 visit was worse in group 1 and statistically different between groups insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001);. BCVA was also worse at V1 visit than V0 visit in groups 1 and 2 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p<0.001 and p=0.003);. Patients with nAMD had more loss in Snellen line than patients with DME in Group 1 who were injected intravitreally insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(p=0.004);. Conclusion: These results can support retina specialists in anticipating the possible clinical consequences of outbreaks on retina patients and developing successful management strategies.
Keywords : COVID 19, coronavirus outbreak, prioritising, retinal diseases