The Impact of COVID-19 on US and International Retina Specialists, Their Practices, and Their Patients

Abstract

Purpose: This work analyzes data from a series of surveys developed by the American Society of Retina Specialists (ASRS) that assesses the impact of COVID-19 on physicians, their practices, and their patients. Methods: Five surveys were sent by the ASRS between March and July 2020 to more than 2600 US and international retina specialists. Data and trends from these surveys were analyzed. Results: Most responding retina specialists (87%-95% in the United States and internationally) reported having no known COVID-related symptoms despite reported limitations in personal protective equipment. Clinic volumes globally were drastically reduced in March 2020 with only partial recovery through July 2020, which was slower internationally than in the United States. Practices were compelled to reduce staff and physician employment levels. Most respondents estimated some degree of delay in patient treatment with corresponding declines in vision and/or anatomy that were attributed most frequently to patients’ fears of the pandemic and least frequently to office unavailability. Conclusions: The reported impact of COVID-19 on retina specialists, their practices, and their patients has been substantial. Although retina specialists were quickly resilient in optimizing delivery of patient care in a manner safe for patients and providers, the reduction in clinic volume has been devastating in the United States and internationally, with negative impacts on patient outcomes, reductions in practices’ volume and employment, and risk to practices’ financial health. Future studies will be required to quantify losses associated with these unprecedented and ongoing circumstances caused by the pandemic.

Prioritising of Retinal Diseases During Covid-19 Outbreak

“…Meanwhile, we can provide the appropriate care by constituting a safety practice pattern and prioritising patients vulnerable to COVID-19. In addition, several organisations, including the American Society of Retina Specialists, Canadian Ophthalmological Society, and Japanese Ophthalmological Society, have declared general guidance for ophthalmologists to administer care to patients during the COVID-19 pandemic [8][9][10][11][12][13][14] . However, these guidances are specifically appropriate to the country's healthcare system, and their applicability to other countries is based on country-specific factors.…”

Retina Procedure Volume Changes during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Survey data collected by the American Society of Retina Specialists have shown clinic volumes globally were drastically reduced in March 2020 with only partial recovery through July 2020. 4 Despite the efforts of retina specialists to resume providing care to their patients, reports have demonstrated irreversible vision losses in certain patient populations. 5 , 6 , 7 …”