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Access to pediatric retina services in British Columbia: a prepandemic and pandemic analysis
Suruchi B Bhui1, Jane Gardiner1, Wai-Ching Lam1
1University of British Columbia, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Vancouver, BC; British Columbia Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC.
Insights
Pediatric retina services, including examinations under anesthesia and surgery, remained accessible during the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of procedures and patients increased, indicating maintained access to pediatric eye care.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Healthcare
- Public Health
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted global healthcare systems.
- Pediatric ophthalmology services, particularly those requiring specialized equipment and anesthesia, faced potential access challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate access to pediatric retina services, including examinations under anesthesia (EUA) and surgical interventions, at a provincial children's hospital before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of pediatric retina service utilization from 2012 to 2023 at British Columbia Children's Hospital.
- Comparison of prepandemic (2012-2019) and postpandemic (2020-2023) periods, analyzing procedure numbers, types, urgency, and unique patients.
Main Results:
- The mean number of procedures per year increased from 32.1 prepandemic to 51 during the pandemic.
- Examinations under anesthesia (EUA) decreased from 60% to 50%, while surgical interventions remained stable.
- The proportion of elective procedures and the mean number of unique patients per year increased during the pandemic.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric retina services at the studied hospital maintained access during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Procedural distribution remained stable despite healthcare disruptions.
- Further research is needed to assess long-term outcomes and postpandemic trends in pediatric retina care.
Objective:
To evaluate access to pediatric retina services, including examinations under anesthesia (EUA) and surgical interventions, at a provincial children's hospital before and during the corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Methods:
A retrospective review of pediatric retina service utilization at British Columbia Children's Hospital from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2023, was conducted. The prepandemic period (2012-2019) was compared to the postpandemic period (2020-2023). Data collected included the number of procedures, procedure type (EUA vs surgical intervention), urgency classification, and number of unique patients. Annualized means were used to account for unequal study durations. Statistical comparisons are presented descriptively.
Results:
A total of 257 procedures were performed in the prepandemic period and 204 during the pandemic period. The mean number of procedures per year increased from 32.1 (SD 8.03) prepandemic to 51 (SD 6.98) during the pandemic. EUA comprised 60% of the procedures prepandemic and 50% during the pandemic. Surgical intervention proportions remained relatively stable, including pars plana vitrectomy (36% vs 35%). The proportion of elective procedures increased during the pandemic period. The mean number of unique patients per year has also increased.
Conclusions:
Access to pediatric retina services at a provincial children's hospital was maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic, with stable procedural distribution despite broader health care system disruptions. Further investigation is required to understand the long-term outcomes and postpandemic trends.
