ArticleCureus2025
Post-pandemic Rise in Mature Cataracts and Delayed Ophthalmic Care: A Retrospective Analysis From a Tertiary Center in Italy.
Article in Cureus, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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7 authors.
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Abstract
Background and objective The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to a worldwide decline in elective medical procedures, including cataract surgeries. This study aimed to assess the incidence of mature cataracts one year after the official end of the pandemic at a tertiary ophthalmology center in Milan, Italy. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted involving patients who underwent cataract surgery at IRCCS MultiMedica Eye Clinic in 2019 and from May 2023 to May 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) <20/100 due to mature cataract or surgery via extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE). Demographic and clinical data were compared across the two periods. Patients from 2023-24 were also surveyed on reasons for delayed care. Results The incidence of mature cataracts increased from 10/2681 (0.37%) in 2019 to 27/2660 (1.01%) in 2023-24 (p = 0.0004). The mean patient age was 81.9 ± 5.2 years in 2019 compared with 76.2 ± 8.6 years in 2023-24 (p = 0.057). Sex distribution was comparable between the two periods (5/10 males (50%) vs. 13/27 males (48.1%), p = 1.00). Diabetes prevalence was 4/10 (40%) vs. 12/27 (44.4%) (p = 0.407). ECCE was performed in 4/10 (40%) vs. 13/27 (48.1%) (p = 0.72). Among 2023-24 patients, 17/25 respondents (68.0%) reported prior COVID-19 infection. Reasons for delayed ophthalmic care included fear of infection (10/25, 40.0%), lack of appointment availability (8/25, 32.0%), and underestimation of need (9/25, 36.0%). Conclusions A significant increase in mature cataracts was observed one year post-pandemic. These findings describe an observable post-pandemic trend and highlight a relevant public health signal that may inform future planning of ophthalmic services.
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