Rev Bras Oftalmol.2024;83:e0045
Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cornea donation and Eye Bank operation in the Zona da Mata Mineira Region
DOI: 10.37039/1982.8551.20240045
ABSTRACT
Objective:
To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on corneal donations and the operation of the eye bank in the Zona da Mata Mineira Region.
Methods:
Retrospective analysis of medical records of all donations obtained by the Banco de Olhos Hospital Regional Dr. João Penido/FHEMIG, Juiz de Fora – MG between 2017 and 2022, comparing pre (January/2017 – March 11/2020) and post-pandemic (12/March/2020 – December/2022) periods.
Results:
There was a reduction in cornea donations and the number of corneal tissues released for transplants in the post-pandemic period, 68.2% and 67.3%, respectively. There was no statistical difference in gender, average age, basic cause of death of donors, in the number of non-preserved eyeballs and non-preserved corneas between the pre- and post-pandemic periods. The rates of release of preserved corneas and use of donations were higher in the post-pandemic period, 86.5% vs 79.0%, and 68.1% vs 63.0%, respectively. The number of corneal tissues released for optical and tectonic transplants were statistically higher in the pre-pandemic period (P<0.001).
Conclusion:
The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on cornea donations and the eye bank’s operations in the Zona da Mata Mineira region.