COVID-19 Pandemic and Rates of Common Ophthalmic Procedures Among Medicare Beneficiaries

Abstract

ImportanceThe COVID-19 pandemic has altered health care delivery, including ophthalmic care. Understanding how the pandemic has changed the rates of commonly performed ophthalmic procedures is crucial for assessing the broader implications for patient care and resource allocation.ObjectiveTo estimate the changes in the rates of the 10 most prevalent ophthalmic procedures among Medicare beneficiaries during the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the geographic disparities in these shifts.DesignThis retrospective US cross-sectional study compared data from Medicare Part B National Summary Data Files for the calendar years 2019 and 2020. Participants included Medicare beneficiaries undergoing the 10 most common ophthalmic procedures. Data included a total of 3 879 533 procedure entries in 2019 and 3 181 439 entries in 2020. Data were analyzed from January 1, 2019, to December 31, 2020.ExposureCOVID-19 pandemic.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe primary outcome was the percentage change in the number of beneficiaries for each of the 10 most common ophthalmic procedures in each state.ResultsThere was an overall decrease of −17.9% in the rates of the 10 ophthalmic procedures from 2019 to 2020 (99% CI, −24.8% to −11.3%). The largest reduction was observed in laser peripheral iridotomy (−43.6%; 99% CI, −51.7% to −31.9%), while eye drug injections saw the smallest decrease (−1.5%; 99% CI, −3.3% to 0.3%). Cataract surgery also saw a reduction of −23.0% (99% CI, −28.8% to −18.7%). Regionally, the Northeast experienced the greatest reductions in cataract surgery (−27.9%; 99% CI, −32.8% to −22.3%).Conclusions and RelevanceThese results show that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a notable drop in the number of common ophthalmic procedures among Medicare beneficiaries, especially in laser peripheral iridotomy, while eye drug injections saw minimal changes. The Northeast experienced the largest reductions, highlighting the pandemic’s association with changes in eye care and indicating a need for focused recovery efforts in the hardest hit areas.