Glaucoma follow-up care in the face of COVID-19 pandemic in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Purpose: This study sought to find out the effect of the COVID-19 partial lockdown on adherence to glaucoma follow-up appointments and associated factors in a multispecialist eye care facility in Enugu, Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional survey of glaucoma patients who were booked for follow-up appointment and those who attended follow-up clinic at The Eye Specialists Hospital (TESH), Enugu, Nigeria before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. The hospital records of glaucoma appointments and visits in April 2019 and April 2020, corresponding to “before” and “during” COVID-19 lockdown, respectively, were used to collect information on visits to glaucoma clinic (with/without appointments). The primary outcome measure of this study was difference in adherence to follow-up appointments while the secondary outcome measure was the total glaucoma visits before and during the pandemic lockdown. Data entry and analysis was done using SPSS version 22. Results: Follow-up rate was not significantly different before (34.6%) and during (35.7%) the COVID-19 lockdown (P = 0.85). A total of 156 and 121 glaucoma visits were recorded before and during COVID-19 lockdown, respectively (P = 0.049). Patients within age group 60 to 80 years, males and persons with advanced glaucoma visited clinic more before and during the COVID-19 lockdown. Severity of glaucoma was significantly associated with more visits during the COVID-19 lockdown (P = 0.023). Conclusion: In TESH, Enugu, Nigeria, the COVID-19 partial lockdown affected total number of glaucoma visits but not adherence to follow-up appointments. Understanding the need for glaucoma follow-up checks and fear of blindness likely helps adherence to appointments.