Effect of SARS-COV-2 on Eye Banking in an Urban Region

Abstract

Purpose: SARS-CoV-2 caused disruption for institutions throughout the world. This descriptive analysis reports the effects of SARS-CoV-2 on donor recovery in a large urban area. Methods: This retrospective analysis draws from internal eye bank data on donor referrals and exclusions and public data on positive viral tests. Data regarding total numbers of donations accepted and excluded were analyzed for January–December of 2019 and 2020. In addition, for May through December 2020, data regarding number of donor referrals, eligible donors, recovered donors, and donors excluded because of SARS-CoV-2 positivity or suspicion were analyzed and compared against Texas Department of State Health Services data for positive SARS-CoV-2 tests. Results: The average corneas recovered in 2020 was 80 per month compared with an average of 87 per month in 2019. Cornea recoveries for April, May, and June were 22, 67, and 75, respectively. There was no statistical difference in overall number of cornea recovered between 2019 (87.3 ± 10.7) and 2020 (80.2± 21.2; P = 0.36). The percentage of donated tissue excluded because of SARS-CoV-2 positivity or suspicion increased from May to July 2020 because of regional surge in SARS-CoV-2 cases. For May 2020, 141 were excluded of 1113 referrals (13%), and in July 2020, 688 were excluded of 1479 referrals (46%). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 affected donor recovery patterns in 2020; however, the overall number of donor tissues was not different compared with 2019. A regional surge in SARS-CoV-2 cases resulted in higher percentage donor tissue number excluded.