ASSESSMENT OF THE REASONS FOR PRESENTATION TO GLAUCOMA SERVICES DURING THE PANDEMIC AND THE KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDE,PRACTICES (KAP) IN RELATION TO COVID-19

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the reasons for visit amongst patients presenting to the glaucoma services and to assess their Knowledge, Attitude, Practices (KAP) in relation to COVID-19 and to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the glaucoma care provision. Design: Cross-sectional, observational study. Patients older than 18 years presenti Methods: ng to the glaucoma services at our tertiary eye centre either for the rst time or for follow-up between October and December 2020 - the immediate unlock period following the rst wave of COVID-19 pandemic were included. Data collected include the demographic details, visual acuity, intraocular pressure, examination ndings, nal diagnosis and suggested treatment. The patients' KAP was then assessed using a validated questionnaire. The distribution of the various glaucoma diagnoses was compared between 2020 (pandemic year) vs. 2019 (pre-pandemic year) Ov Results: erall, 246 patients were included. The main reasons for seeking care were headache (66.3%) followed by ocular surface symptoms like itching or irritation (25.2%) and pain (10.9%). 84.7% of follow-up patients reported that their visit to the hospital was delayed predominantly due to fear of getting infected (62.2%), paucity of public transport (48.4%) and lack of accompanying person (12.6%). There was signicantly greater proportion of new primary angle closure patients (40.3%, p=0.036) whereas those with primary open angle glaucoma had come for follow-up care (26.1 %, p=0.048). The mean KAP scores of the patients were 83.1%, 65.5% and 81.7% respectively. KAP in rel Conclusion: ation to COVID-19 was good and there was a greater proportion of patients with acute presentations.