Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on glaucoma surgical practices in the UK

Abstract

Background/AimThe aim of the study was to examine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on glaucoma surgical practices within the UK.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey was distributed to all consultant glaucoma specialists who are on the UK and Eire Glaucoma Society contact list. Participants were asked specific questions regarding preferences in glaucoma surgical practices and whether these had changed subsequent to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.ResultsTrabeculectomy was the procedure of choice for 61 (87%) glaucoma specialists. A total of 51 (73%) respondents reported performing minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) procedures before the COVID-19 pandemic. The most commonly performed MIGS procedure was the iStent inject (51%), followed by XEN 45 (36%) and Preserflo (17%). Forty-three (61%) respondents reported modifying their glaucoma surgery practice subsequent to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Of the glaucoma specialists who modified their surgical practices, 21 (43%) specifically reduced the number of trabeculectomies performed. In combination, diode laser (both micropulse and conventional trans-scleral cyclodiode) was the most common alternative procedure. Glaucoma drainage devices, deep sclerectomy and Preserflo were also commonly chosen alternatives.ConclusionAlthough trabeculectomy remains the most commonly performed established glaucoma surgery, it is being performed with reduced frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the number of postoperative visits and procedures required. Alternatives such as conventional and micropulse diode laser, glaucoma drainage devices, deep sclerectomy and Preserflo appear to be the favoured alternative procedures.

The Impact of Covid-19 in the Follow-Up of Glaucoma Patients in a Tertiary Center: A Comparison Between Pre-Pandemic and Pandemic Periods

“…Some studies verified the impact of lockdown on ophthalmology assistance 15 and resident training, 16–18 while others investigated the impact on glaucoma practice and patients’ assistance. 19 , 20 However, to the best of our knowledge, none of these studies verified the impact of the pandemic on glaucoma patients followed at a large public glaucoma service. This would help to understand the impact on patients’ assistance and prepare health services to better perform when the pandemic is resolved.…”

“…They also reported a decrease of 64.9% and 73.0% in the number of trabeculectomies, 40.5% and 58.9% in Interestingly, the choices for glaucoma procedures have apparently been affected by the pandemic. In a study that involved 70 glaucoma specialists at the United Kingdom, 19 87% indicated trabeculectomy as their preferred procedure and 47% sub-Tenon's block without sedation as their preferred anesthesia in the pre-Covid period. In contrast, in the post-Covid period, 61% reported changes in their surgical practice: 43% indicated a reduction in the number of trabeculectomies, which was substituted by micropulse cyclophotocoagulation (14%), drainage devices (12%), Preserflo, deep sclerectomy and continuous cyclophotocoagulation (7% each); 72% reported no change in the preferred anesthesia, while 22% elected local anesthesia without sedation.…”

Do University Students Adhere to WHO Guidelines on Proper Use of Face Masks during the COVID-19 Pandemic?—Analysis and Comparison of Medical and Non-Medical Students

“…Until now, hundreds of articles in worldwide journals have been published using this methodology [7][8][9][10][11]. Moreover, with the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers have been using online questionnaires even more frequently due to contact restrictions, lack of face-to-face contact and no possibility to travel [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. A similar methodology was employed by Machida et al [19] in their paper about the incorrect use of face masks during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

Micropulse Transscleral Cyclophotocoagulation as Primary Surgical Treatment for Primary Open Angle Glaucoma in Taiwan during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…On the other hand, the prevailing restriction measures on hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic and the desire to minimize patient contact during surgery, as well as simplify postoperative care in order to reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission, had a remarkable impact on the type of surgery offered after the outbreak of COVID-19. A shift in surgical choice in the direction of transscleral diode lasers was documented in the UK after the COVID-19 pandemic [31]. A tendency for less postoperative follow-up, less postoperative interventions, shorter surgical time, improved safety, and anesthetic concerns were the main drive for shifting away from trabeculectomy [31].…”

“…A shift in surgical choice in the direction of transscleral diode lasers was documented in the UK after the COVID-19 pandemic [31]. A tendency for less postoperative follow-up, less postoperative interventions, shorter surgical time, improved safety, and anesthetic concerns were the main drive for shifting away from trabeculectomy [31]. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MP-TSCPC as a primary surgical treatment in mild-to-end-stage POAG in Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic.…”