Dr. BHAGABAT NAYAK

DR. KOYEL CHAKRABORTY, DR. BHUMIJA BHATT, DR. SUCHETA PARIJA

Abstract

Purpose of the study: To see the change of pattern of presentation of cataract patients and management outcome after COVID 19 lockdown.

Method: It was a retrospective study after Lockdown was lifted in India. The degree of cataract, visual acuity, IOP and any complication noted. It was compared with the same period during 2019-2020, the pre-COVID times.

Results: We got 50% more advanced cataracts, either MSC or HMSC, which is double the number in percentage for the same period in pre-COVID time. Out of which 5% of cataracts presented with phacomorphic glaucoma,4% phacolytic glaucoma. Only 30% of our old patients waited for surgery before Lockdown reached us.

Conclusion: This shows magnitude of backlog of cataracts in our region and backup plan for special non-COVID hospitals should there. The cataract surgical rate (CSR) to be increased. The infrastructure, personnel, and funds must be allocated more to the national blindness control program (NPCB).

Financial disclosure: Nil