Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on corneal transplantations

ABSTRACT

Objective:

Considering the visual system is one source of contamination for the new coronavirus, The Global Alliance of Eye Bank Association (GAEBA) released a guideline recommending prevention of virus transmission between eye tissue donors and recipients, which resulted in a reduction of keratoplasties and increase in the waiting lists for corneal transplants worldwide. Hence, this work aims to analyze the situation of corneal transplantation in the state of Alagoas, during the first year of COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

This is an analytical, cross-sectional, observational study using data from 3 different sources: Human Eye Tissue Bank of Alagoas (BTO-AL), Brazilian Transplant Registry (RBT) and National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA).

Results:

During the past six years, 284 corneal transplants were performed in Alagoas, according to data from the Eye Transplant Bank (BTO) of the state, whereas according to the Brazilian Transplant Registry (RBT) 451 corneal transplants were performed. The percentage of corneas not coming from the BTO of Alagoas increased until 2019 but dropped in 2020. In the first year of the pandemic, only 11.66% of estimated annual need was met, and this period had the lowest number of corneal transplants performed out of the six years analyzed in the research.

Conclusion:

The study demonstrated the decline in donation and performance of corneal transplants during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in Alagoas.

Keywords:
COVID-19; Coronavirus infections; Corneal transplantation; Pandemics