# Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on eye removal procedures at an urban level 1 trauma center

## TL;DR

The study found that eye removal procedures increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially due to trauma and painful blind eyes.

## Contribution

This study is the first to analyze the impact of the pandemic on eye removal rates at an urban trauma center.

## Key findings

- The monthly rate of eye removal procedures increased significantly during the pandemic.
- Trauma and painful blind eyes were the main reasons for the increase in eye removals.
- Black patients and both genders experienced significant increases in eye removal rates.

## Abstract

To evaluate the changes in the rates and indications of eye removal
procedures during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.

The medical records of all patients who underwent eye removal from 2007 to
2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The patient demographic data and
indications for surgery were collected. Data from two groups of patients
(prepandemic surgery and postpandemic surgery) were compared. Statistical
significance was set at p<0.05.

Fifty-nine patients underwent enucleation (69%), evisceration (27%), or
exenteration (3%). The mean (SD) age of the patients was 55.9 (19.4) years,
and most (69%) of the patients were males. Most (47%) of the study
population were Black. The common indications for eye removal were trauma
(41%), painful blind eye (34%), and infection/inflammation (24%). The types
of trauma were assault (55%), accidental (39%), and self-inflicted (6%). The
mean (SD) monthly rates of eye removal increased from 0.25 (0.50) in the
prepandemic period to 0.77 (0.91) during the pandemic (p<0.001). These
increases were noted in both males (p=0.003) and females (p=0.001) and were
the highest among Black patients [0.42 (0.76); p<0.001]. Among the
indications of eye removal, painful blind eyes [0.35 (0.75); p<0.001] and
ocular trauma [0.31 (0.47); p=0.051] exhibited the greatest increases
following the pandemic.

The rate of eye removal procedures increased during the recent pandemic.
Although delayed care of chronic eye conditions may have contributed to the
increased rates of painful blind eyes, the increased trauma-related eye
removals may be attributed to the simultaneous spike in violent assaults in
New York City.