Volume 34, Issue 239 (11-2024)
J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2024, 34(239): 33-41 |
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Ahmadi H, Berimani M, Hoseinzadeh M, Heidari Z. Epidemiological Characteristics of Cataract Surgery Candidates at Sari TOOBA Eye Clinic During the COVID-19 Pandemic
(2020-2021). J Mazandaran Univ Med Sci 2024; 34 (239) :33-41
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-20934-en.html
URL: http://jmums.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-20934-en.html
Abstract: (126 Views)
Background and purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic had a widespread impact on healthcare services, leading to delays in many elective surgeries, including cataract surgery. Cataracts are among the most common causes of blindness worldwide and are a major cause of vision loss and reduced quality of life. Timely diagnosis and treatment of cataracts can prevent disease progression and potentially serious complications. During the pandemic, the risk of disease progression may increase due to changes in patient attendance patterns and delays in surgical services. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of cataract surgery candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the necessary conditions for surgery and the associated limitations during this critical period.
Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 134 cataract surgery candidates who visited the ophthalmology center of TOOBA Clinic in Sari during the COVID-19 outbreak covering the period from July 2020 to March 2021. Comprehensive clinical examinations, including refraction with a Topcon auto refractometer, visual acuity measurement with a Snellen E chart, fundoscopy, optic nerve examination, intraocular pressure measurement with a Goldman tonometer, and slit-lamp biomicroscopy, were performed. In addition, the severity and type of cataracts in all patients were determined by an experienced corneal specialist. The candidates were evaluated for various necessary conditions for surgery, including severe cataract, phacomorphic glaucoma in the fellow eye, the risk of glaucoma in narrow-angle patients, open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX), corneal opacity, pathological myopia, monocular status, anisometropia, and severe fear of blindness. These factors were recorded in a checklist and systematically evaluated. Data were described using means, standard deviations, counts, and percentages. The ANOVA test was used to compare the means of quantitative variables between groups.
Results: Of the 134 surgical candidates, the mean age was 64.4±11.3 years (range: 40 to 90 years). Men accounted for 47% of the sample, while women comprised 53%. Refraction was measurable in 60% (80 patients) with a mean of -3.6±4.79. The mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were 1.45±0.47 and 1.19±0.62 logMAR, respectively. Both UCVA and BCVA significantly worsened with increasing cataract severity (P<0.001). Regarding the necessary conditions for cataract surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, severe cataract (51%, 68 patients), fear of blindness (24%, 32 patients), and narrow angles (10%, 13 patients) were the most common reasons for visiting the eye care center and undergoing surgery. In terms of cataract severity, severe cataracts (47%, 63 patients) and very severe cataracts (26%, 35 patients) accounted for the majority of cases. Among the different types of cataracts, nuclear cataracts were the most prevalent.
Conclusion: The study of the epidemiological characteristics of cataract surgery candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the critical importance of maintaining surgical and healthcare services even under challenging circumstances. The findings of this study provide valuable insights to improve planning and resource allocation during similar crises. Designing and implementing health programs that ensure access to essential surgical services under all conditions can significantly enhance patients' quality of life.
Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study included 134 cataract surgery candidates who visited the ophthalmology center of TOOBA Clinic in Sari during the COVID-19 outbreak covering the period from July 2020 to March 2021. Comprehensive clinical examinations, including refraction with a Topcon auto refractometer, visual acuity measurement with a Snellen E chart, fundoscopy, optic nerve examination, intraocular pressure measurement with a Goldman tonometer, and slit-lamp biomicroscopy, were performed. In addition, the severity and type of cataracts in all patients were determined by an experienced corneal specialist. The candidates were evaluated for various necessary conditions for surgery, including severe cataract, phacomorphic glaucoma in the fellow eye, the risk of glaucoma in narrow-angle patients, open-angle glaucoma, pseudoexfoliation glaucoma (PEX), corneal opacity, pathological myopia, monocular status, anisometropia, and severe fear of blindness. These factors were recorded in a checklist and systematically evaluated. Data were described using means, standard deviations, counts, and percentages. The ANOVA test was used to compare the means of quantitative variables between groups.
Results: Of the 134 surgical candidates, the mean age was 64.4±11.3 years (range: 40 to 90 years). Men accounted for 47% of the sample, while women comprised 53%. Refraction was measurable in 60% (80 patients) with a mean of -3.6±4.79. The mean uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were 1.45±0.47 and 1.19±0.62 logMAR, respectively. Both UCVA and BCVA significantly worsened with increasing cataract severity (P<0.001). Regarding the necessary conditions for cataract surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, severe cataract (51%, 68 patients), fear of blindness (24%, 32 patients), and narrow angles (10%, 13 patients) were the most common reasons for visiting the eye care center and undergoing surgery. In terms of cataract severity, severe cataracts (47%, 63 patients) and very severe cataracts (26%, 35 patients) accounted for the majority of cases. Among the different types of cataracts, nuclear cataracts were the most prevalent.
Conclusion: The study of the epidemiological characteristics of cataract surgery candidates during the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the critical importance of maintaining surgical and healthcare services even under challenging circumstances. The findings of this study provide valuable insights to improve planning and resource allocation during similar crises. Designing and implementing health programs that ensure access to essential surgical services under all conditions can significantly enhance patients' quality of life.
Keywords: COVID-19, epidemiology, pandemic, nuclear cataract, cortical cataract, posterior subcapsular cataract.
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
Eye
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