Patients with diabetic macular edema who had their treatment delayed during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic experienced worsening of DME and retinopathy with consequent vision loss, according to a study carried out in the U.K.
As per the Royal College of Ophthalmologists’ guidelines, many of the patients receiving anti-VEGF intravitreal injections had their appointments deferred in order to minimize the risk for infection for both patients and staff in the eye units. Patients with DME were prioritized according to clinical needs.
“Those with lower risk had their treatment