Outcomes of Planed Intravitreal Therapy Interruption due to COVID-19 in Patients with Diabetic Macular Edema
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.48560/rspo.25934Keywords:
COVID-19, Diabetes Mellitus, Intravitreal Injections, Macular Edema/drug therapyAbstract
INTRODUCTION: Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of planed intravitreal injection (IVI) interruption in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) and the overall impact of COVID-19 in IVI.
METHODS: Retrospective analysis of clinical data of eyes with DME undergoing treatment with IVI, that missed an IVI by their doctor’s decision (based on an implemented treatment guideline) due to COVID-19 pandemic, between 19 March 2020 and 2 May 2020. Primary outcomes were the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the central foveal thickness (CFT) in the first appointment after the missed IVI and after 6 months. Secondary outcomes were the evolution of BCVA and CFT in eyes that missed IVI by patient’s decision and the comparison of the overall number of IVI performed, missed by doctor’s decision, and missed by patient’s decision during the study period and the same period in 2019.
RESULTS: Between 19 March and 2 May 2020, 132 eyes with DME missed an IVI by doctor’s decision. Before the missed IVI, BCVA was 65 [5-85] ETDRS letters and CFT was 338 [192-1277] μm. In the first appointment after the missed IVI, BCVA and CFT were 65 [5-85] ETDRS letters and 320 [204-1154] μm, respectively. After 6 months of the missed IVI, BCVA was 70 [5-85] ETDRS letters and CFT was 291 [185-868] μm. In the same period, 41 eyes missed IVI by patient’s decision. Before the missed IVI, BCVA was 60 [5-85] ETDRS letters and CFT was 336 [178-622] μm. In the first appointment after the missed IVI, BCVA was 60 [5-80] ETDRS letters and CFT was 333 [202-1041] μm. After 6 months of the missed IVI, BCVA was 60 [5-85] ETDRS letters and CFT was 285 [205-647] μm. Between 19 March and 2 May 2019, a total of 693 IVI were performed in medical retina patients in our center. During the same period in 2020, 272 IVI were administered, 391 were missed by doctor’s decision and 80 IVI were missed by patient’s decision.
CONCLUSION: With the implementation of treatment guidelines, it was possible to keep an overall good control of CFT, without deterioration of BCVA.
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