The Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Follow-Up of Patients with Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Tertiary Hospital in London, the UK.

Background/

Objectives

Adherence to medical appointments is crucial for managing age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare services, potentially affecting disease control. This study aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on appointment adherence and disease progression in AMD patients at the Western Eye Hospital in London.

Methods

Patients were divided into two groups: those who attended appointments on time and those who experienced delays (n = 100 per group). We compared disease progression using demographic data, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and macular thickness measured by OCT, extracted from medical records.

Results

In patients without delays, BCVA remained stable pre- and post-COVID-19, although significant changes in macular thickness were observed in the central (C0), superior (S1, S2), nasal (N1), and inferior (I1, I2) macular sectors. In contrast, patients with delayed appointments showed a significant increase in N1 macular thickness from 324.00 (304.00-358.00) pre-COVID-19 to 337.50 (305.50-375.50) post-COVID-19 (p = 0.030). Post-COVID-19, patients without delays had significantly better BCVA and thinner N1 macular thickness than those with delays. A positive correlation was found between the length of appointment delays and increased macular thickness in S1 and I2 sectors.

Conclusions

Timely follow-up is essential in AMD management. Appointment delays during the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with increased macular thickness and worse visual outcomes, highlighting the importance of maintaining continuity of care even during healthcare disruptions.