From normalcy to pandemic: analyzing cataract surgery patterns through case volumes and Google Trends (2014-2020).

PURPOSE: To examine cataract surgery rates among Medicare beneficiaries alongside Google Trends data to unveil insights into patient engagement and healthcare dynamics before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (2014 to 2020).

METHODS

Data of Google Trends (GT) relative search volumes (RSV) was collected for 9 total Google search terms related to cataracts or cataract procedures. Univariate linear regression was used to determine the correlation between average annual Google RSV for each search term and the total annual case volumes among US Medicare beneficiaries. Seasonal and pandemic trends were also studied.

RESULTS

There were statistically significant positive correlations between search data and the annual case volumes for cataract surgeries among Medicare beneficiaries for 5 of the 9 search terms selected. There was greater search traffic in summer and fall. Annual case volumes remained consistent and increasing from 2019 to 2020 during the pandemic, but search traffic decreased sharply.

CONCLUSIONS

The stable rate in cataract surgeries among Medicare beneficiaries despite decreased patient engagement during the pandemic represents successful maintenance of health-care continuity. Google Trends is useful in understanding public interest and determining resource allocation and healthcare needs.