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The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Corneal Transplantation in Brazil

Aline Silveira Moriyama1,2, João Luís Erbs Pessoa3, Taciana Ribeiro Silva Bessa4

  • 1Hospital Oftalmológico de Sorocaba/Banco de Olhos de Sorocaba (Sorocaba Eye Hospital/ Sorocaba Eye Bank), Sorocaba, Brazil.

Cornea
|December 5, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic significantly reduced corneal transplantation (CT) rates in Brazil, leading to increased waiting lists. CT rates have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, indicating long-term implications for patients needing corneal transplants.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Transplantation Medicine
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused widespread disruption to healthcare systems globally.
  • Corneal transplantation (CT) services faced challenges due to lockdowns, resource reallocation, and patient-related fears.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on corneal transplantation (CT) in Brazil.
  • To compare CT rates, waiting list dynamics, and surgical procedures before and during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of corneal transplantation data from Hospital Oftalmológico de Sorocaba (HOS), Brazil.
  • Comparison of prepandemic (Jan 2019-Mar 2020) data with pandemic periods (Apr-Sep 2020 and Oct 2020-Apr 2021).
  • Inclusion of national and state-level keratoplasty and waiting list data.

Main Results:

  • Monthly CT rates decreased significantly at HOS (-14.7%), São Paulo state (-19.1%), and Brazil (-30.1%) post-pandemic resumption.
  • Corneal transplantation waiting lists increased significantly both regionally and nationally.
  • Post-resumption, endothelial keratoplasty proportions declined, while penetrating keratoplasty proportions increased.

Conclusions:

  • Corneal transplantation numbers dropped significantly across all levels (local, regional, national) during the pandemic.
  • The increase in CT waiting lists has significant long-term implications for patient access to sight-restoring procedures.
  • Substantial increases in monthly CT rates are needed to return waiting lists to prepandemic levels within two years.
Abstract

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