The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ophthalmology services across the United Kingdom: a brief report on a cross-sectional survey of clinical leads

Lakhani, B; Attzs, Michelle; Stead, Richard; Tambe, Katya

doi:10.1177/25158414211010549

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 5 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This often results in further deterioration of their vision, thereby worsening their mental health; a well-established correlation [ 13 ]. Furthermore, this reduced engagement has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in a significant decrease in outpatient and surgical ophthalmic services thereby lengthening waiting lists [ 14 , 15 ].…”

Section: Main Bodymentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression secondary to vision loss in old age and an effective rapid screening tool for undiagnosed cases

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Zenebe et al. recently stated that despite depression being a common mental health problem in the elderly population, it is underdiagnosed in over half of the cases (Zenebe et al. in Ann Gen Psychiatry, 2021). They described an extensive list of risk factors associated with geriatric depression. However, we noted that they did not include ophthalmic conditions in this list which have previously been identified as an important risk factor for depression in the elderly. Main body To determine the extent of undiagnosed anxiety and depression in our elderly population with vision loss, we screened a cohort of our patients, over 60 years with vision loss secondary to macular disease for both conditions. Our cohort included 104 patients with mean best corrected visual acuity 0.58 LogMAR (Snellen equivalent 6/24). In this group, we identified 29.8% (31/104) and 28.8% (30/104) of patients with at least one depression or anxiety-related symptom, respectively, in the past 2 weeks. We identified 7.7% (8/104) and 3.8% (4/104) who had significant symptoms of depression and anxiety, respectively, that warranted further follow-up. Only two of these patients had previously been diagnosed with anxiety or depression with the majority having no previous history of either condition. Patients from our cohort who screened for depression or anxiety often cited frustration completing tasks and loss of independence secondary to declining vision. They also complained that the vision loss resulted in a lack of confidence which in turn resulted in social isolation and loneliness. Most of the patients welcomed referral to their GP for follow-up for input regarding their mental health and they also stated an interest in attending hospital optometry low vision services and counselling support. Conclusions With increasing time pressures on healthcare services and the rising use of virtual clinics especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, it is still essential to screen efficiently for depression in those elderly patients who are at significant risk. There is a considerable burden of major depressive disease in the geriatric population, and we would recommend that physicians (Geriatricians, GPs, Ophthalmologists etc.) screen elderly patients with vision loss for depression using the rapid screening tool which we suggest.

show abstract

Section: Main Bodymentioning

confidence: 99%

Depression secondary to vision loss in old age and an effective rapid screening tool for undiagnosed cases

2022

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…6 This has led to GIRFT instituting strict referral criteria in line with 2017 NICE glaucoma guidance, referral filtration schemes, virtual services, and adopting a multidisciplinary approach. 7 COVID-19 has led to considerable service loss, 8 to which there is great need to generate new avenues using teleophthalmology.…”

Section: Assessment Of Problemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Glaucoma specialist email advice service (GSEAS)

Begum,

Airody,

Venugopal

et al. 2023

European Journal of Ophthalmology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Ophthalmology service provision similarly saw significant shifts in service delivery in response to the pandemic across surgical and outpatient care. 4 Prior to the pandemic, an estimated half of ophthalmic departments provided a walk-in emergency service, with the remainder having scheduled appointments or telephone triage. 4 An estimated half of the units were also supported by a community optometrist-led service such as Minor Eye Conditions Scheme (MECS) or Primary Eye-care Assessment and Referral Services (PEARS).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“… 4 Prior to the pandemic, an estimated half of ophthalmic departments provided a walk-in emergency service, with the remainder having scheduled appointments or telephone triage. 4 An estimated half of the units were also supported by a community optometrist-led service such as Minor Eye Conditions Scheme (MECS) or Primary Eye-care Assessment and Referral Services (PEARS). 4 During the pandemic, many major eye units in London 5 and across the country 6 saw significant reductions in emergency attendances.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Patient and clinician perspectives of ophthalmology emergency attendances during the COVID 19 pandemic

Lim

Kanda

Rodrigues

et al. 2022

International Journal of Care Coordination

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction To explore patient and clinician perspectives on acute ophthalmology presentations during the COVID pandemic. To ascertain whether the pandemic had differentially impacted access to care based on patient demographics and postcodes. Methods A single-centre, cross-sectional prospective study in a busy metropolitan eye casualty between April–June 2020 recording patient demographics, distance travelled to access healthcare, diagnosis and outcome compared to the equivalent period in 2019. A further two-part survey was conducted to explore patient and clinician's perceptions around delays in attendances, views on remote consultation and severity of the condition. Results There was a 68% decrease in April 2020 compared to previous year's ED attendance. The diagnosis tended towards more visually significant pathology. From 2019 to 2020, there was a significant decrease in average distance travelled to the eye emergency department (eye ED). working-age adults (18-59) and white patients travelling from very far pre-pandemic contributed most to this change. 513 Patient responses (12%) out of 4433 attendances during the study period were received, 89% (456/513) of the completed surveys also had matching clinician surveys. 29% (149/513) patients felt COVID-19 stopped them from attending earlier. Clinicians thought a video consultation would have been suitable for 40% (182/456) of patients compared to only 13% (58/456) of patients preferring a video consultation. Discussion Although our findings were limited by low response rates, COVID-19 may have caused a delay in presentation for emergency eye care. Demographic changes and attitudes towards video consultations have implications for planning of emergency eye care in future pandemics.

show abstract

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ophthalmology services across the United Kingdom: a brief report on a cross-sectional survey of clinical leads

Cited by 9 publications

References 5 publications

Depression secondary to vision loss in old age and an effective rapid screening tool for undiagnosed cases

Depression secondary to vision loss in old age and an effective rapid screening tool for undiagnosed cases

Glaucoma specialist email advice service (GSEAS)

Patient and clinician perspectives of ophthalmology emergency attendances during the COVID 19 pandemic

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About