The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety level of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation

Purpose: to analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the anxiety level of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation. Material and Methods. An online survey of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation was conducted according to the author’s questionnaire, which included, in particular, 8 questions about the level of anxiety in April and October 2020. The respondents (n=582) assessed the level of personal anxiety on a 5‑point scale (“very strong” — 4 points, “strong” — 3, “moderate (average)” — 2, “weak” — 1, “not at all worried” — 0). Results. Ophthalmologists have a higher level of anxiety that they will personally get sick COVID-19 in April than in October 2020 (2.13±1.27 and 1.89±1.28, p-0.05). Ophthalmologists were most worried about their family members getting sick with COVID-19 (p-0.05), in additon in April more than in October 2020 (3.01±1.07 and 2.76±1.14, p-0.05). The level of anxiety of ophthalmologists that colleagues will get sick with COVID-19 was higher in April than in October 2020 (2.25±1.11 and 2.16±1.16, p-0.05). The level of anxiety that ophthalmologists will personally infect other people COVID-19 was also higher in April than in October 2020 (2.28±1.31 and 2.10±1.29, p-0.05). Ophthalmologists were less worried about the decrease in personal financial income in April than in October 2020 (2.44±1.29 and 2.69±1.22, p-0.05). The level of anxiety that friends will get sick with COVID-19, as well as that it is more difficult to get medical care for other diseases in April, did not differ from the data for October 2020 (2.24±1.12 and 2.18±1.16 (p-0.05), 2.42±1.31 and 2.41±1.27 (p-0,05) respectively). Conclusion. The COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the anxiety level of ophthalmologists in the Russian Federation.