Cataract Surgery during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Insights from a Greek Tertiary Hospital.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 has affected everyday clinical practice, having an impact on the quality of healthcare provided, even in eye clinic departments. The aim of this study is to evaluate the consequences of this worldwide pandemic on cataract surgery in a Greek tertiary university hospital. METHODS: A total of 805 patients were included in this study. The number of cataract surgeries (CS), the type, the unilateral or bilateral appearance as well as the stage of cataract were recorded for the months between January and June 2019 (pre-COVID period) and compared with the same period in 2021 (during the pandemic outbreak) in the Department of Ophthalmology of Thessaloniki General Hospital G. Papanikolaou. RESULTS: A significant reduction in the number of CS as well as a significant increase in advanced and/or bilateral cataracts in 2021 compared to the pre-COVID period were observed. CONCLUSION: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected equally the value of ophthalmic interventions as well as the patients' quality of life, being a powerful reminder of the significant physical and psychological benefits of CS, especially for older adults and patients with comorbidities.

Unexpected hair regrowth in a woman with longstanding Alopecia universalis.

Alopecia areata (AA) is an autoimmune disorder leading to non-scarring hair loss. As long as hair follicles are not destroyed, the potential for hair regrowth remains. Alopecia universalis is a severe form of AA and the chance of full hair regrowth is below 10%. We present a case of a 55-year-old woman with longstanding AA, who presented to the Outpatient Clinic of our Hospital Unit with almost full eyelashes and hair regrowth after an emotional stressful event. She reported no hair regrowth for the last 35 years. There are few case reports which have exhibited that hair follicles are still alive and may be reactivated after many years.