The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Corneal Transplantation in Brazil

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on corneal transplantation (CT) in Brazil. Methods: Data from patients who underwent CT at the Hospital Oftalmológico de Sorocaba (HOS), Brazil, were analyzed. National and state numbers of keratoplasties, patients added to the CT waiting list, and total patients on the waiting list were also obtained. Baseline prepandemic (from January 1, 2019, to March 31, 2020) data were compared with 2 time frames of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic: elective CT suspension period (between April 1, 2020, and September 31, 2020) and after elective CT resumption (between October 1, 2020, and April 30, 2021). Results: Despite elective CT resumption after the moratorium, the monthly CT rates did not return to baseline at HOS (−14.7%, P = 0.007), São Paulo state (−19.1%, P = 0.001), or Brazil (−30.1%, P
Source: Cornea - Category: Opthalmology Tags: Clinical Science Source Type: research