Post-pandemic boom: A surprise for ophthalmologists

Abstract

Aim: To compare the statistical supremacy of patients undergoing cataract surgeries at a tertiary eye care center in the pre-COVID versus post-COVID period. Methods: A complete audit of patients attending our ophthalmology department and undergoing cataract surgery in a tertiary eye care center was compared between August 2019 to March 2020 (Group A) and August 2020 to March 2021 (Group B). All pertinent ophthalmological parameters were recorded in detail for comparison. Results: Average daily OPD attendance in Groups A and B were 146.7 and 111.2 (P = 0.004) respectively. However, the average monthly cataract surgery done in these two groups was 88.4 and 121.6 (P < 0.001), respectively. The cataract counseling to OT conversion rate was 47% in Group A, whereas that in Group B was 72%. Other eye cataract surgeries have increased from 21% to 39% in the post-COVID era. The emergency cataract surgery rate has also increased by 78%. There was a 66% increase in lens-induced glaucoma cases attending our institution. On comparing the outcome, there has been an increase in the percentage (13%) of aphakia due to an increased number of advanced and challenging cataracts. Conclusion: World economy has predicted that there will be a massive revolution in revenue generation in all fields of human resources in the post-pandemic era, coining the term “post-pandemic boom.” Similarly, in view of the prevailing uncertainties due to the COVID-19 situation, there has been a steep inclination to seek prompt medical and surgical care for cataracts among patients in ophthalmology.