Eye banking and keratoplasty trend analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic: A South Indian observational study.

Purpose: To analyze the impact on eye donation and corneal transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary eye hospital in south India. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the donor and recipient records during the study period from January 2020 to May 2021 was conducted and tabulated in Microsoft Excel 2013. Demographic details of the donor, utility rate, cause of death, culture characteristics, storage methods, wet lab usage, and the surgical donor outcomes were evaluated. Additionally, the postoperative workup of the recipients, diagnosis, graft infection and rejection episodes, development of COVID-19 postoperatively, and outcome in terms of visual acuity at one, three, and six months were also noted. Results: A total of 466 eyes from 249 donors were received during the study period. The mean age of the donor population was 62.43 years (20.9). The corneal transplantation utility rate was 36.4% (n = 170). Fifty-one percent of the total transplant surgeries were for therapeutic purposes. This was followed by penetrating optical keratoplasty (34%), Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (9%), and patch grafts (3%). Seventeen (10%) graft rejection episodes were noted and nine (53%) had complete resolution after medical treatment. Conclusion: Proper preventive measures are key to carrying out safe and efficient eye banking activities even during a deadly pandemic, as COVID-19 transmission via transplantation is rare.

Analysis of hesitancy and motivational factors for COVID-19 vaccination among patients presenting to eye care hospitals - A multicenter questionnaire-based survey.

Purpose: To analyze the hesitancy and motivational factors related to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination among patients visiting for eye care. Methods: A telephonic survey was conducted using validated questionnaires consisting of 36 questions in five sections from July 1 to July 31, 2021. Patients visiting six tertiary centers and one secondary center of our eye hospitals were interviewed over their phones, and their responses were entered onto the Google forms. The responses were recorded as demographics, health status, awareness about vaccination, factors contributing to hesitancy or acceptance to vaccinate, and general perception about the vaccine. Results: A total of 5033 patients were surveyed. The mean age was 49.0 ± 14.2 years. A total of 563 (11.2%) patients gave a history of symptoms or were tested positive for COVID-19; 2225 (44.2%) patients were already COVID-19 vaccinated. Around 2883 (56%) patients were aware of getting infection despite vaccination, and 4092 (81.3%) perceived vaccination should be compulsory. The main reason for vaccination hesitancy was the fear of side effects (n = 487, 17.3%). The fear of getting infected was the most common reason for vaccination (n = 911, 40.9%). Factors associated with a lower proportion of vaccinated individuals included younger age (P < 0.001), female gender (P < 0.001), lower education (P < 0.001), lower income (P < 0.001), and rural residence (P = 0.33). Conclusion: Creating awareness about the minor side effects and reassurance can allay an individual's fears. The fear associated with the rapid spread of infection and associated mortality needs to be utilized to increase vaccination acceptance. A targeted approach toward groups with poor uptake of vaccination is necessary.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Infectious Keratitis Outcomes: A Retrospective Multicenter Study in Tertiary Eye Hospitals of South India.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to report the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinical outcomes of infectious keratitis in South India. METHODS: Two hundred fifty-eight patients presented with infectious keratitis at 6 tertiary care centers when strict travel restrictions were in place from March 24 to May 31, 2020. Case records were collected retrospectively and analyzed for demographics, type of initial treatment, length of delay in presentation, microbiological diagnosis, clinical course, and final treatment outcome. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 49.2 years, with most of them (61.2%) being male. Forty-one patients (15.9%) did not receive any treatment for at least a week after the onset of symptoms. One hundred eight patients (41.9%) presented with severe ulcer (32 had a frank perforation). Resolution of the infection was achieved only in 103 patients (45.6%). A total of 90 patients (39.8%) with ulcers had a perforation, yet only 29 patients (32.2%) could receive keratoplasty because of the unavailability of donor tissues. At the end of 6-month follow-up, 47 patients had anatomical failure (loss of globe) and 12 additional patients had functional failure (total permanent vision loss). CONCLUSIONS: Delay in presentation and acute shortage of donor corneal tissues for emergency keratoplasty because of the COVID-19 pandemic had a grave impact, resulting in irreversible blindness in a significant number of patients.

Knowledge, attitude and practise toward COVID-19 among patients presenting to five tertiary eye care hospitals in South India - A multicentre questionnaire-based survey.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) pattern towards COVID-19, among patients presenting to eye care hospitals during the last phase of lockdown period. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 15 to June 15, 2020 in five tertiary eye care hospitals in South India to assess the KAP towards COVID-19. Each of the hospitals belonged to one of the three different zones assigned in India based on number of infections. Red zones represent hotspots and orange/green zones represent regions with medium and lower caseloads, respectively. A validated questionnaire was administered through telephone and responses were recorded on a Google form. RESULTS: Out of the total (n = 6119) participants, 3081 were from hospitals in green zone, 2110 from the orange zone, and 928 from red zone. Majority of participants were above 50 years of age (42%) and 15.54% were illiterate. The mean (percentage) scores of knowledge, attitude, and practice were 21.26 (82%), 9.37 (92%), and 10.32 (86%), respectively. KAP among patients more than 50 years of age and in illiterate individuals was significantly less (P < 0.01) when compared with all other groups. Participants from red zone had a significantly better attitude (P < 0.01) compared to other centers. CONCLUSION: Although the overall KAP regarding COVID-19 disease was robust (above 80% in all categories) in our participants, the high risk elderly population (>50 years) and illiterate individuals had a significantly lower KAP. These are populations in which education should be emphasized and appropriately delivered as a way to reduce COVID-19 risk.