Analysis of ophthalmic emergency visits during COVID-19 Lockdown in a tertiary eye care center in South India

Abstract

Purpose: To analyze the profile of patients visiting the ophthalmic emergency department during coronavirus disease-2019 lockdown and analyze its impact on a tertiary eye care center in South India. Materials and Methods: Retrospective analysis of Electronic Medical records of all patients presenting in the period from March 24, 2020 to May 3, 2020 (lockdown group) and the same was compared with the data of patients from the same period in the previous year (prelockdown group). Data regarding their demographic details, presenting complaints, final diagnosis, medical treatment, and surgical interventions undertaken if any were scrutinized. Results: The total number of patients seen in the emergency services during the lockdown phase was 591. The number of patients coming to the emergency showed a decline of 35% compared to the previous year. The most common presenting complaint was defective vision (n = 112, 18.95). Review checkup was done in 128 patients (21.65%). The most common ocular diagnosis was conjunctivitis (n = 78, 13.19%). Emergency surgical interventions were advised in 30 patients (5.07%). Conclusion: A significant decline in the number of visits to the emergency in the lockdown period was observed probably due to the various constraints and hardships faced by patients.

Keywords

• coronavirus disease-19
• emergency department
• lockdown
• pandemic