[Impacts of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on ophthalmic care in Germany].

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Survey by the commission for cross-sectoral ophthalmology, as a joint commission of the German Ophthalmological Society (DOG) and the Professional Association of German Ophthalmologists (BVA) on the effects of the SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic on ophthalmological patient care in Germany.

METHODS:

Online-based survey.

RESULTS:

A total of 1190 questionnaires were (partly) answered. With respect to outpatient care and consultations from 15 March to 15 April 2020, a total of 69 (5.8%) participants indicated unlimited, 756 (63.5%) reduced and 330 (27.7%) emergency care only, independent of the type of institution. Outpatient surgery was restricted to emergency surgery in 68% of clinics, 42.0% of inpatient wards, 45.0% of surgical medical care centers and group practices and 33.0% of private practices. Inpatient procedures were limited to emergency care in 75.0% of inpatient wards and in 71.0% of clinics. With the exception of endophthalmitis (+8.2%), the number of urgent indications and emergencies declined: retinal detachment (-34.8%), perforating eyeball injuries (-7.3%), acute glaucoma (-17.8%), central retinal artery occlusion and anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (-31.0%), others (-30.9%), penetrating keratoplasty and amniotic membrane transplantation (-59.1%). Institutional or professional policy requirements (76.0%) and appointment cancellation by patients (84.0%) were the most common reasons for limitations in ophthalmic patient care.

CONCLUSION:

The initial phase of the pandemic was characterized by a massive reduction in non-urgent conservative and surgical treatment that affected all areas of ophthalmology. Due to intensive care capacities required for COVID-19 patients, inpatient treatment was largely restricted to emergencies. Treatment of ophthalmological patients, including ocular emergencies and urgent treatment, was maintained across all sectors with a (considerable) decrease in the number of cases even in these groups.

• Authors: Lars-Olof Hattenbach, Peter Heinz, Nicolas Feltgen, Hans Hoerauf, Thomas Kohnen, Siegfried Priglinger, Werner Bachmann, Johannes Rieks, Nicole Eter, Thomas Reinhard
• Journal: Der Ophthalmologe : Zeitschrift der Deutschen Ophthalmologischen Gesellschaft (Ophthalmologe) Vol. 117 Issue 9 Pg. 892-904 (Sep 2020) ISSN: 1433-0423 [Electronic] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Auswirkungen der SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie auf die ophthalmologische Versorgung in Deutschland.
• PMID: 32845384 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Betacoronavirus
• COVID-19
• Coronavirus Infections (epidemiology)
• Germany (epidemiology)
• Humans
• Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures (statistics & numerical data)
• Ophthalmology (trends)
• Pandemics
• Patient Care (trends)
• Pneumonia, Viral (epidemiology)
• SARS-CoV-2