Access to Pediatric Eye Care During a Pandemic: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Pediatr Ann. 2023 Feb;52(2):e68-e75. doi: 10.3928/19382359-20230130-01. Epub 2023 Feb 1.

Abstract

Visual impairment affects many children and can lead to blindness if untreated. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to various restrictions and other challenges accessing in-person medical care, including essential pediatric eye care. The aim of this article was to determine and quantify the effect that pandemics have on access to pediatric eye care. A systematic literature search was conducted using various databases, which yielded 257 articles; nine were included in the final review. All included studies reported a decrease in the number of children accessing eye care during COVID-19. Most studies described virtual triage systems, which restricted in-person care to emergent cases. The average decrease in daily pediatric visits was 67.32% and reached statistical significance in the meta-analysis (P < .01). However, out of all patients with ocular complaints, the proportion of pediatric visits was unchanged, suggesting that the decrease in access to eye care was not specific to pediatric patients. [Pediatr Ann. 2023;52(2):e68-e75.].

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / therapy
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • Telemedicine*
  • Triage