Ocular oncology service during the COVID-19 outbreak: uveal melanoma characteristics presenting in 2019 compared to 2020

AIM: We aim to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ocular oncology in Ireland, comparing uveal melanoma trends in 2019 to 2020. METHODS: Patients included for analysis were those that presented to the ocular oncology service from January 2019 to December 2020 in the Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital in Dublin, who underwent primary treatment for uveal melanoma—proton beam therapy, brachytherapy or enucleation. RESULTS: Ninety-seven patients presented in 2019 (n = 46) and 2020 (n = 51) who underwent primary treatment for uveal melanoma. Presentation via the eye casualty department was more common in 2020. Dimensions of choroidal melanomas were increased both in basal diameter and thickness compared to those in 2019. More patients had enucleations in 2020 than in 2019 (21.6% vs 9.3%, respectively) and less had proton beam therapy (6.2% vs 12.4%). More patients had evidence of extra-scleral extension at the time of surgery in 2020 compared to 2019 (4.1%, n = 4 versus 0%, respectively). The mean duration of brachytherapy therapy was longer in 2020 (5.3 days ± 35.8) compared to 2019 (4.6 days ± 38.7). Mean time between presentation and primary treatment was 35.6 ± 28.8 days in 2019 and 24.1 ± 20.4 days in 2020. CONCLUSIONS: More advanced disease is suggested by the increased mean basal diameter and tumour thickness, extra-scleral extension and longer duration of brachytherapy. Time from diagnosis to treatment was not delayed in 2020.