Impact of Covid-19 on clinical care among patients attending the Glaucoma clinic of University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Background: The outbreak of this novel disease brought about many challenges in non-COVID-19 patient care, including difficulty accessing eye care services, especially in developing countries. This study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on clinical care among patients attending the glaucoma clinic of a teaching hospital. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out at the glaucoma clinic of the teaching hospital. Clinic records of participants were reviewed, and questionnaires were filled out over the phone by a trained ophthalmic assistant. Results: One hundred and five participants were recruited into the study with a M:F of 1.6:1 and a mean age of 51.1 years (±18.9). As a primary treatment for glaucoma, 58 (55.2%) participants were on intra-ocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medication, while 43 (40.9%) participants had trabeculectomy with mitomycin C application. Seventy (66.7%) participants missed their clinic appointment on an average of 1.52 ± 1.0 (SD) and a range of between one and five. Most of the participants (52, 51.5%) missed their clinic appointment largely on the assumption that the clinic was not running. Thirty-one (29.5%) participants reported that they experienced a reduction in income as a result of the pandemic, which affected the procurement of intra-ocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medications. Conclusion: Effective delivery of clinical care for participants was severely affected by the pandemic. Social, economic, and financial status of participants were all affected, which had a negative effect on the maintenance of quality care and may worsen IOP control in glaucoma care, which may lead to disease progression.