The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on procedures performed by fellows of the Vitreo-Retina Training Program at the Philippine General Hospital

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected ophthalmology training. The Vitreo-Retina Training Program extended the training periods of its trainees in anticipation of a drop in surgical cases during the pandemic to make up for the anticipated drop.

Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Vitreo-Retinal
Fellowship Program at the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) specifically the number of procedures
performed by the Vitreo-Retina Fellows before and during the pandemic and their compliance with the
Vitreo-Retina Society of the Philippines(VRSP) standards.

Methodology: This is a document review of vitreo-retinal procedures done at the Department of
Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences of the PGH from January 01, 2017, to December 31, 2021.

Result: During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, there was a drop in the number of procedures performed by both the first year and second year vitreo-retina fellows. Despite the drop in numbers, the first year vitreoretina fellows were still in compliance with the VRSP-recommended number of procedures. The second year vitreo-retina fellows, on the other hand, were not able to comply with the recommended numbers by the VRSP. The extension year allowed the second year fellows to do more procedures and comply with the recommended numbers of pars plana vitrectomy only.

Conclusion: There was a drop in the vitreo-retinal procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. The secondyear fellows were the most affected with the decrease in the number of surgical cases.