The effects of the COVİD-19 epidemic on patients with glacoma requesting follow-UP medical treatment in Gaziantep University Medical Faculty Hospital eye diseases clinic

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak in patients with glaucoma who received medical treatment followed in the ophthalmology outpatient clinic. 100 patients who applied to Gaziantep University Faculty of Medicine Ophthalmology clinic between 01.04.2020-01.10.2020 and had regular follow-ups and polyclinic records in the past were included in the study. In addition to sociodemographic information, an information form containing questions about treatment processes and experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic process was used in the study. 17% of the participants could not adapt to staying at home. Women were significantly more adapted to staying at home. Non-working participants were more adapted to staying at home during the pandemic than working participants, and married compared to unmarried participants. 87% of the participants refrained from entering crowded environments such as markets and markets during the pandemic. The average age of those who avoid crowded environments such as markets and markets is higher. It has been found that women, who are financially sufficient, married, have a chronic disease and are not working, avoid crowded environments more during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was concluded that women use more gloves than men and non-working participants use more gloves than working participants. During the pandemic period, 66% of the participants stated that they experienced glaucoma disease symptoms. In the COVID-19 pandemic, 47% of glaucoma medical treatments were interrupted. There was significantly more disruption in the medical treatment of those with financial difficulties. Those with insufficient financial situation experienced the symptoms of glaucoma significantly more. 67% of the participants reported that they could not go to an eye examination during the COVID-19 pandemic period. No significant difference was observed in the absence of eye examination according to gender, marital status, financial status, presence of chronic diseases and employment status. It was observed that the average age of the participants who could not attend the eye examination was higher. Those who could not attend an eye examination showed more signs of glaucoma disease. Keywords: COVID-19, Glaucoma, Eye Examination, Pandemic.