# Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on ocular disease: KNHANES 2015–2021

## TL;DR

This study found that the COVID-19 pandemic was linked to increased risk of cataracts and AMD, but not glaucoma, based on health survey data from 2015 to 2021.

## Contribution

This study is novel in identifying the pandemic as a risk factor for specific ocular diseases using a large-scale national health survey.

## Key findings

- The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased odds of cataracts (OR 1.161) and AMD (OR 1.600).
- Depression and metabolic conditions like diabetes and hypertension were common risk factors across ocular diseases.
- The pandemic was not a significant risk factor for glaucoma.

## Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on ocular diseases and changes in risk factors before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2015–2021, a national cross-sectional health examination and survey. Associations between ocular diseases and risk factors were determined using the chi-squared test and logistic regression analysis. Bivariable adjusted logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) to evaluate of the impact of COVID-19 on ocular diseases. Individuals were divided into two age groups (< 60 and ≥ 60 years). A total of 50,158 people were diagnosed, of whom 7270 were diagnosed with cataract, 921 with glaucoma, and 439 with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Risk factors for cataract were COVID-19 pandemic (OR 1.161), hypertension (OR 1.608), diabetes (OR 1.573), dyslipidemia (OR 1.167), stroke (OR 1.272), and depression (OR 1.567). Risk factors for AMD were COVID-19 pandemic (OR 1.600), dyslipidemia (OR 1.610), and depression (OR 1.466). Risk factors for glaucoma were hypertension (OR 1.234), dyslipidemia (OR 1.529), diabetes (OR 1.323), and depression (OR 1.830). The COVID-19 pandemic was a risk factor for cataracts and AMD, but not for glaucoma. Cataracts and AMD may be more influenced by the acquired health conditions or the environment.