When the World Health Organization (WHO) announced Covid-19 as a worldwide pandemic in March 2020, routine healthcare appointments were avoided to prevent patients from contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Ophthalmology services were particularly impacted since many procedures are elective and most patients are elderly and at risk of suffering from Covid-19 symptoms. As such, GlobalData estimates that a 70% reduction in procedure volumes occurred in Q2 2020. This led to a loss in revenue and the temporary or permanent closure of single ophthalmic practice institutions. This closure of ophthalmic healthcare centres will lead to an increased risk of vision impairment and permanent vision loss in patients who are in immediate need of treatment.
