Access to pediatric retina services in British Columbia: a prepandemic and pandemic analysis.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate access to pediatric retina services, including examinations under anesthesia (EUA) and surgical interventions, at a provincial children's hospital before and during the corona virus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic.

METHODS

A retrospective review of pediatric retina service utilization at British Columbia Children's Hospital from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2023, was conducted. The prepandemic period (2012-2019) was compared to the postpandemic period (2020-2023). Data collected included the number of procedures, procedure type (EUA vs surgical intervention), urgency classification, and number of unique patients. Annualized means were used to account for unequal study durations. Statistical comparisons are presented descriptively.

RESULTS

A total of 257 procedures were performed in the prepandemic period and 204 during the pandemic period. The mean number of procedures per year increased from 32.1 (SD 8.03) prepandemic to 51 (SD 6.98) during the pandemic. EUA comprised 60% of the procedures prepandemic and 50% during the pandemic. Surgical intervention proportions remained relatively stable, including pars plana vitrectomy (36% vs 35%). The proportion of elective procedures increased during the pandemic period. The mean number of unique patients per year has also increased.

CONCLUSIONS

Access to pediatric retina services at a provincial children's hospital was maintained during the COVID-19 pandemic, with stable procedural distribution despite broader health care system disruptions. Further investigation is required to understand the long-term outcomes and postpandemic trends.