Effects of the First COVID-19 Lockdown on Ophthalmological Patient Care

Abstract

Purpose To determine the effect of lockdown on medical care, with the example of ophthalmology. Methods Patients in a period during the first lockdown were compared to a non-lockdown period, with a total of 12 259 patients included in an observational study. Changes in different areas (elective, emergency, inpatients, surgeries) and eye care subspecialties were compared. Emergency patients were analyzed according to severity and urgency. Patients showing hints requiring treatment for urgent cardiovascular diseases were determined. Differences in patients who would have suffered severe vision loss without treatment were identified and the QALY (quality-adjusted life years) loss was determined accordingly. A model to prioritize patient visits after the end of lockdown or in future lockdown scenarios was developed. Data were collected at the University Eye Hospital LMU Munich and patient files were reviewed individually by ophthalmologists. Results The average patient number decreased by − 59.4% (p < 0.001), with a significant loss in all areas (elective, emergency, inpatients, surgeries; p < 0.001). There was a decline of − 39.6% for patients at high risk/high severity. Patients with indications of a risk factor of future stroke declined significantly (p = 0.003). QALY loss at the university eye hospital was 171, which was estimated to be 3160 – 24 143 for all of Germany. Working up high losses of outpatients during these 8 weeks of projected lockdown in Germany would take 7 – 23 weeks under normal circumstances, depending on ophthalmologist density. The prioritization model can reduce morbidity by up to 78%. Conclusion There was marked loss of emergency cases and patients with chronic diseases. Making up for the losses in examinations and treatments will theoretically take weeks to months. To reduce the risk of morbidity, we recommend a prioritization model for rescheduling and future lockdown scenarios.