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Covid-19 Impact on Macular Neovascularization and Retinal Vein Occlusion Treatment: Single-Center Experience

Rodrigo Vilares-Morgado1,2,3, Carolina Madeira1, Ana Maria Cunha1

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, Centro Hospitalar de São João Hospital, Porto, Portugal.

Biomedicine Hub
|January 27, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted treatment attendance for retinal diseases, but visual acuity remained stable. Despite initial drops in appointments, eye health did not significantly worsen, and some measures even improved.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Retinal Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare access globally.
  • Patients with macular neovascularization (MNV) and retinal vein occlusion (RVO) require regular intravitreal injections to maintain visual acuity (VA).
  • Concerns arose regarding potential undertreatment during mandatory quarantine periods.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on treatment attendance for MNV and RVO patients.
  • To evaluate if the pandemic led to undertreatment and subsequent loss of VA in these patients.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective, single-center study analyzed patients scheduled for treatment during the March 19-June 1, 2020 quarantine period.
  • Demographics, VA, and treatment attendance rates were reviewed.
  • Visual impact was assessed in patients with stable VA for over six months prior to quarantine.

Main Results:

  • Attendance rates initially dropped but increased during the quarantine period, negatively correlating with patient age.
  • Age-related macular degeneration patients showed lower attendance and were older.
  • Average VA variation was minimal (-1.7 ± 8.4 ETDRS letters) and did not correlate with missed treatments. Subretinal and intraretinal fluid prevalence decreased.

Conclusions:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected treatment attendance for MNV and RVO patients, particularly in the first week of quarantine.
  • Despite attendance fluctuations, significant loss of VA was not observed.
  • Morphological parameters even showed improvement in some cases, suggesting resilience in treatment despite pandemic challenges.
Keywords:
Antivascular endothelial growth factor treatmentCOVID-19Macular neovascularizationRetinal vein occlusion

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