Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number, clinical characteristics, surgical types and anatomical outcome of patients with primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment during and after COVID-19 lockdown in Thailand

Background: The literature suggests that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treatment. We determined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the number, clinical characteristics, type of surgical procedure, and anatomical outcome of primary RRD during and after lockdown compared with those parameters in the same periods in the previous year. Methods In Thailand, the first lockdown was from 3 April to 30 June 2020 (89 days). We evaluated data from an equal number of days in four periods. The medical records of patients with primary RRD who underwent retinal surgery at Mettapracharak Hospital during and after the first lockdown in 2020 and the corresponding period in 2019 were reviewed. The following data were analyzed: age, sex, laterality, lens status, symptom duration, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), macular status, number of quadrants detached, type of surgical procedure, and outcome. Results A total of 455 patients (455 eyes) underwent surgery for primary RRD. A total of 107 patients were treated during lockdown, 106 patients after lockdown, whereas 117 patients and 125 patients were treated in identical periods in the previous year, respectively. A decrease of 8.5% of RRD cases during lockdown and of 15.2% of RRD cases post-lockdown compared with those in the equivalent periods in the previous year were documented. No significant differences were found with respect to demographic features, clinical characteristics, type of surgical procedure, or the anatomical outcome of RRD patients among all time periods. However, a significantly lower prevalence of right-eye involvement and shorter waiting time for surgery after lockdown compared with those in the corresponding periods in 2019 were documented. The overall prevalence of success after a single surgical procedure was 85.3%. Conclusions We revealed the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the reduction in the number of surgical procedures for primary RRD during and after lockdown. Our findings could aid redefinition of a strategic plan for RRD management after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided. Trial registration: COA014/2564; 28 October 2021