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Impact and Determinants of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Cataract Surgery Rate at a Tertiary Referral Center

Sara AlHilali1, Samar A Al-Swailem1,2, Norah Albdaya2

  • 1Anterior Segment Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Risk Management and Healthcare Policy
|December 19, 2022
PubMed

Insights

The monthly cataract surgery rate significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic and has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels. Addressing barriers is crucial to clear the surgical backlog and restore normal cataract surgery rates.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Public Health
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • COVID-19 pandemic led to reduced elective procedures, including cataract surgery, to manage healthcare system workload.
  • Understanding the impact on cataract surgery rates is vital for future healthcare planning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze changes in the monthly cataract surgery rate (MCSR) at a tertiary eye hospital during different COVID-19 pandemic phases.
  • To identify determinants affecting MCSR and inform strategies for overcoming the surgical backlog.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of 5092 cataract surgeries from November 2018 to January 2022.
  • Calculation and comparison of MCSR across four pandemic phases (pre-pandemic, during, and post-pandemic).
  • Analysis of factors influencing MCSR, including visual impairment and surgeon type.

Main Results:

  • MCSR significantly declined during the pandemic, with a substantial drop in Phase 2 (0.73% of total surgeries).
  • Post-pandemic rates have not recovered to pre-pandemic levels.
  • Rupture of the posterior capsule rate increased from 2.6% in Phase 1 to 8.4% in Phase 2.

Conclusions:

  • The pandemic caused a sustained reduction in cataract surgery rates, highlighting a persistent surgical backlog.
  • Key stakeholders must address identified barriers to increase MCSR and mitigate the backlog effectively.
Abstract

Keywords:
Covid-19backlogcataractratesurgery

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