Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy for Diabetic Macular Edema in Japan

Ryohei Komori, Yoshihiro Takamura, Yutaka Yamada, Masakazu Morioka, Hisashi Matsubara, Takao Hirano, Yoshinori Mitamura, Miho Shimizu, Sentaro Kusuhara, Tomoya Murakami, Ryotaro Nihei, Tetsuo Ueda, Hiroshi Kunikata, Tatsuya Jujo, Hiroto Terasaki, Daisuke Nagasato, Kousuke Noda, Rie Osaka, Kazuki Nagai, Shigeo YoshidaMiho Nozaki, Hidetaka Noma, Gaku Ishigooka, Aya Takahashi, Osamu Sawada, Kazuhiro Kimura, Masaru Inatani

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy for diabetic macular edema (DME) improves visual acuity. However, repeated injections during routine outpatient visits are required to maintain this effect. The recent sudden global outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) had a major impact on daily life, including medical care, such as the provision of VEGF therapy. We retrospectively investigated the relationship between the number of anti-VEGF injections for DME and the number of new COVID-19-positive patients at 23 centers in Japan. We also surveyed ophthalmologists regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on anti-VEGF therapy. In the third and fourth waves of the pandemic, when the number of infected patients increased, the number of injections significantly decreased. In the first, third, and fourth waves, the number of injections increased significantly during the last month of each wave. Approximately 60.9% of ophthalmologists reported that the number of injections decreased after the pandemic. Of the facilities, 52.2% extended the clinic visit intervals; however, there was no significant difference in the actual number of injections given between before and after the pandemic. Although the number of injections temporarily decreased, Japanese ophthalmologists maintained the total annual number of anti-VEGF injections for DME during the pandemic.

Original languageEnglish
Article number6794
JournalJournal of Clinical Medicine
Volume11
Issue number22
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022 Nov
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • anti-VEGF therapy
  • diabetic macular edema

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine(all)

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