IMPACT study: Impact of adherence to anti-VEGF intravitreal injections for macular disease during COVID 19-related confinement in France.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of adherence to French coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID 19)-related guidelines for intravitreal injection (IVI) practice on the visual outcomes of patients treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents for macular diseases during the first lockdown period. METHODS: Observational multicentre study including all patients from 18 centres with an IVI initially planned during the lockdown. Visual acuity (VA, ETDRS) was recorded at 1 and 4 months after lockdown. French COVID 19-related guidelines recommended maintaining IVI practice. We defined three groups of patients: A, adherent to guidelines; NA+, non-adherent with delayed IVIs; and NA-, non-adherent without IVIs performed during the lockdown. Risk factors for non-adherence and visual loss were studied. RESULTS: A total of 3020 eyes of 3020 patients, aged 77.8 ± 11.6 years, 59.8% women, were included. 59.3% were non-adherent(46.7% NA+, 12.6% NA-). A smaller decrease in VA at 4 months was observed in the A group than the NA+ and NA- group (-0.2 ± 6.7, -0.3 ± 6.9 and -1.5 ± 6.9, respectively [p < 0.001]). Factors associated with non-adherence were in multivariable analysis, older age, hospital practice, low-density population areas, high viral incidence areas, longer intervals between injection and treat and extent protocol. Factors associated with visual loss at 4 months in multivariable analysis were, being in the NA- group, older age, T&E and fixed regimens. CONCLUSION: Strict adherence to guidelines was associated with better visual outcome, although most of our patients did not attend as planned. Identification of patients at risk could help in the future in case of a new pandemic lockdown.

Mobile Telemedicine Screening for Diabetic Retinopathy Using Nonmydriatic Fundus Photographs in Burgundy: 11 Years of Results.

We analyzed the results of mobile screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR) using retinal photographs, comparing these results between rural and periurban areas, and before and after the first national COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. The Burgundy Union Régionale des Professionnels de Santé (URPS) has organized an annual DR screening since 2004. The examination, performed by an orthoptist, consisted of taking the patient's history, intraocular pressure measurement, and taking retinal photographs. After remote transmission, the examinations were interpreted by participating ophthalmologists at the Dijon University Hospital. In September 2016, the screening was open to periurban townships. In 11 years, 10,220 patients were screened: 1420 patients (13.9%) had DR of any type, with an average age of 68.5 (±11.3) years, and 59.2% were men. These patients had a statistically significantly higher glycated hemoglobin level (7.4% vs. 7.0%) and a longer duration of diabetes (13.8 vs. 9.3 years) than patients without DR. When comparing rural and periurban areas and periods before and after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we did not find any significant difference in the screening results. The results of this study are in line with the average findings of similar studies comparing screening strategies for DR. The early detection of DR can benefit from mobile telemedicine screening, identifying a considerable number of patients at an elevated risk, especially in rural areas where access to ophthalmological care is limited.