THE IMPACT OF COVID – 19 PANDEMIC ON OPHTHALMIC SERVICES - A COMPARATIVE STUDY AT THE LAGOS STATE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NIGERIA

COVID -19 PANDEMIC ON OPHTHALMIC SERVICES

Abstract

Abstract

Background: -The WHO declared COVID -19 a global pandemic in March 2020. A critical preventive measure was social distancing within 1.8 metres. This implies streamlining of ophthalmic services to only vision threatening conditions. This study assesses the impact on ophthalmic services in the pre and post COVID -19 declaration period.

Methodology: - A retrospective comparative study was conducted. Data on outpatient and subspecialty clinic attendance, emergency and elective surgeries was collected for 18 months pre and 18 months post COVID -19 pandemic declaration (September 2018 - August 2021). Data extracted included diagnosis, emergency, and elective surgeries performed.  Data was analysed using descriptive statistics to compare pre and post COVID 19 impacts. 

Results: - A total of 23,980 and 8,930 hospital visits were recorded 18 months pre and 18 months post – COVID 19 pandemic declaration culminating in 62.6% decline in outpatient clinic attendance. Surgical output had 49.6% decrease. Emergency surgeries recorded 36.6% drop. Decline in elective surgeries for cataract was 59.7%, oculoplastics 47.2%, and pterygium 62.5% while 100% increase was reported in glaucoma surgeries. Highest overall decline was in April and May 2020 - national lockdown. Progressive rise in hospital attendance and surgical output was recorded starting about 6 months post COVID-19 pandemic declaration.

Conclusion: - COVID - 19 pandemic impacted negatively on ophthalmic services with significant decline in outpatient attendance, emergencies, and surgical output. A progressive rise in hospital attendance starting six months post – COVID declaration was indicative of patients’ confidence to return for care. Efforts to cushion this should include step - up in surgical output while ensuring adequate preventive measures remain in place to encourage hospital attendance.

 

Keywords: COVID -19 pandemic, ophthalmological surgical output, ophthalmic emergencies, ophthalmic services, out-patient clinics