The redeployment of resources to combat the spread of COVID-19 during the pandemic may have worsened gender inequity in eye health, according to a new report.  

The report, from The Fred Hollows Foundation and International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and published in the Community Eye Health Journal, reviewed data on eye health systems in 26 countries and found the pandemic’s impact led to significant cataract treatment backlogs that may take years to clear.  

The Fred Hollows Foundation’s Director of Strategic Initiatives Amanda Davis said the pandemic forced health systems to postpone or cancel non-urgent procedures and to reassign staff to deal with the emergency.  

“Our review of cataract services found that the pandemic may have exacerbated existing inequities, particularly with women and girls.” 

“Women and girls are already comprise 55 percent of the world’s blind. In every country the study surveyed, there was a reduction in the proportion of women and girls accessing eye health services.  

Davis said the pandemic underlined the fragility of eye health systems and how this can widen existing inequities.  

“In the eye health sector, this has led to backlogs that may take years to clear, depending on the region and the capacity of the health care system,” said Davis.  

Study co-author, IAPB Knowledge Consultant Dr Anthea Burnett, said the data found the global disruption also led to the suspension of many vision programs in schools, depriving children opportunities to be screened for eye conditions.  

“Access to paediatric eye care decreased during the pandemic with an average drop of 67 percent in paediatric eye-related visits,” she said.   

Dr Burnett said this was particularly concerning given the pandemic’s impact on myopia – or short-sightedness – especially among children.  

“Decreased outdoor activities, increased screen time and a shift towards remote learning and entertainment through small hand-held devices increased myopia progression during the pandemic,” she said.  

The study made a number of recommendations, including analysis of how to address backlogs, focusing on inequities as well as resuming and increasing school eye health services and increasing investment in eye health.  

Davis said The Fred Hollows Foundation and its partners were committed to helping clear the backlog in cataract surgery and other eye health services.  

“We are working closely with our partners to address inequities, especially for women and girls.  

“Further investment in eye health is vital to strengthen health systems and build resilience against future shocks like the global pandemic,” added Davis.