The Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Ophthalmic Referrals within a Tertiary Academic Center in Oman.

PURPOSE: To investigate the impact of coronavirus infection disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic on ophthalmic referrals within an academic tertiary center in Oman. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of internal referrals received and evaluated by the ophthalmology department between March 1and August 31, 2020 (COVID-19 period) compared to a corresponding period in 2019 (pre COVID-19). Data included patient demographics, referral details, ocular diagnosis, intervention, and discharge plan. RESULTS: Referral volume significantly decreased by 58.2%; from 2019 prepandemic to 510 (P = 0.001), with the lowest in April and May 2020. Patient demographics did not differ significantly, but "urgent" referrals reduced by 96.2% (P < 0.001). Main reasons for referrals were reduced vision and screening in both periods. During pandemic, referrals for screening purposes increased from 30.3% to 37.9% (P = 0.013) and for reduced vision decreased from 30% to 23.3% (P = 0.021). Dry eye syndrome increased in frequency during 2020 (from 2.9% to 7.3%, P = 0.002) but cataracts and conjunctivitis both decreased (from 4.7% to 2.1%, P = 0.046 and from 2.3% to 0.3%, P = 0.013, respectively). Ocular trauma remained stable (from 0.8% to 0.3%, P = 0.456), but the proportion of chemical injuries increased by 13.7% (P = 0.025). There was a drastic decrease in interventions from 37% to 26.1% (P < 0.001) and an increase in discharge rate from 61.2% to 75.8% (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ophthalmic referrals within a tertiary academic centre in oman referral reductions and changes in pattern and characteristics as an epiphenomenon of COVID-19 reflect the extent of impact specifically in an Omani context. This information is vital for planning proper resource utilization, the adoption of innovative care delivery, and improving referral system pathways.

Ophthalmic findings as clues for early diagnosis of Vici syndrome in a neonate.

AIM: To report the earliest diagnosis of Vici syndrome in a three-week-old Omani girl. METHODS: A three-week-old baby girl with blond hair and agenesis of the corpus callosum was born to consanguineous parents. An older sibling with similar findings had died at the age of six months with recurrent seizures and aspiration pneumonia without a diagnosis of the underlying systemic condition. After a standard ophthalmic and comprehensive systemic evaluation, full sequencing of the EPG5 gene was carried out. RESULTS: The findings of bilateral anterior polar cataracts and oculocutaneous albinism in the child with agenesis of corpus callosum raised a suspicion of Vici syndrome. Immunology, neurology, cardiology, and genetic consultations were requested and revealed the presence of immunodeficiency, psychomotor retardation, and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Full sequencing of the EPG5 gene led to the detection of a homozygous c.6084 G > A (Trp2028Ter) mutation, confirming the diagnosis of Vici syndrome. Parental heterozygosity was confirmed. On follow-up, progressive microcephaly, failure to thrive, and significant developmental delay were noted, and a clinical decision not to resuscitate was made at the age of 22 months. CONCLUSIONS: We report the earliest diagnosis of Vici syndrome in the literature. Ophthalmic findings are a cardinal feature of this condition. The diagnosis should be considered in infants with hallmark features of oculocutaneous albinism, cataracts, and agenesis of the corpus callosum. Vici syndrome has a very poor prognosis due to progressive neuroregression superimposed on the neurodevelopmental anomaly.