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Backlog in ophthalmic surgeries associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in Ontario 2020.
Jin, Ya-Ping; Canizares, Mayilee; El-Defrawy, Sherif; Buys, Yvonne M.
  • Jin YP; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto; Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Electronic address: Yaping.Jin@utoronto.ca.
  • Canizares M; Schroeder Arthritis Institute, Krembil Research Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.
  • El-Defrawy S; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto.
  • Buys YM; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto.
Can J Ophthalmol ; 2022 Jul 06.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2220937
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the volume of deferred ophthalmic surgeries in Ontario associated with the COVID-19 pandemic from March to December 2020 and suggest strategies and time required to clear the backlog.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional study.

PARTICIPANTS:

Ontarians eligible for the Ontario Health Insurance Plan in 2017-2020.

METHODS:

Backlog and clearance time for ophthalmic surgeries associated with the COVID-19 pandemic were estimated from time-series forecasting models and queuing theory.

RESULTS:

From March 16 to December 31, 2020, the estimated ophthalmic surgical backlog needing operating rooms was 92,150 surgeries (95% prediction interval, 71,288-112,841). Roughly 90% of the delayed surgeries were cataract surgeries, and a concerning 4% were retinal detachment surgeries. Nearly half the provincial backlog (48%; 44,542 of 92,150) was in patients from the western health region. In addition, an estimated 23,755 (95% prediction interval, 14,656-32,497) anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections were missed. Estimated provincial clearance time was 248 weeks (95% CI, 235-260) and 128 weeks (95% CI, 121-134) if 10% and 20% of operating room surgical capacity per week were added, respectively, based on the weekly ophthalmic surgical volume in 2019.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ontario data demonstrate that the magnitude of the ophthalmic surgical backlog in 2020 alone raises serious concerns for meeting the ophthalmic surgical needs of patients. As the pandemic continues, the accrued backlog size is likely to increase. Planning and actions are needed urgently to better manage the collateral impacts of the pandemic on the ophthalmic surgical backlog.

Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Language: English Year: 2022 Document Type: Article