The work of a pediatric ophthalmological department during COVID-19

Abstract

Aim. To analyze the work of the pediatric ophthalmological department of eye microsurgery of Regional Clinical Hospital No. 2 (Vladivostok, Russia) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods. The research materials included reports of the chief freelance pediatric ophthalmologist of the Primorsky Krai, as well as outpatient and inpatient records of the pediatric ophthalmological department of Regional Clinical Hospital No. 2, compiled during 2020 and 2021. A retrospective analysis of the incidence structure in 2020 and 2021 was carried out. In total, 1498 patients who received hospital treatment during the specified period were included in the study. Data analysis was carried out using MS Excel methods of descriptive statistics. The data were displayed using charts, as well as in the form of absolute numbers and a percentage of the total number of operations.

Results. In 2020, the average length of patient stay in the hospital was lower than that in 2021. During this period, the number of hospitalized children decreased by more than twice, which is reflected in Table 1 and Fig. 1. The share of patients with eye trauma requiring emergency conservative and surgical care increased. In 2021, out of 924 treated patients, 506 needed surgical treatment, which was performed according to indications.

Conclusion. During the COVID-19 pandemic, planned hospitalization was suspended followed by introduction of a special sanitary and epidemiological regime. In 2020–2021, 1498 children received ophthalmological inpatient care. In comparison with 2020, the number of surgical interventions, including elective operations, increased by 193 and amounted to 62%. This was related to lifting of the restrictions on planned hospitalization. Overall, 40% fewer children received treatment compared to pre-COVID years.