IU is a chronic low-grade uveitis that may be associated with protean early and late complications of the anterior or posterior segments or both. Optimal treatment regimens are imperative for the strict control of inflammation and proper management of complications thus allowing a favorable long-term prognosis.
Purpose
To describe tele-ophthalmology consultations for primary-physicians in the IDF during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Methods
Retrospective cross-sectional study. Medical records of tele-ophthalmology consultations from March to June 2020 were reviewed.
Results
The study included 245 cases in which an ophthalmologist was consulted. In 62.0% cell-phone camera photographs were used. The mean age was 21.5 ± 6.4 years. The most common diagnoses were acute-conjunctivitis (8.6%); conjunctival-hyperemia (non-specific diagnosis, 8.2%); scleritis/episcleritis (7.3%); chronic allergic-conjunctivitis (7.3%); chalazion (7.3%) hordeolum (6.5%); acute allergic-conjunctivitis (4.5%). 37.6% of patients received primary physician-based treatment, 24.9% of patients received specialist-based treatment. 13.1% were referred to the ER. The consult prevented ER referral for 39.2% and changed the physician's treatment plan in 70.6% of cases. Foreign-body sensation complaints were more likely treated by a primary-physician (
p
= 0.015). Cases with suspected foreign-body diagnosis were referred more to the ER (
p
< 0.001). For most cases of eyelid complaints and diagnoses, primary physician care was sufficient (
p
< 0.001). Conjunctival complaints and diagnoses received significantly more ophthalmologist-based treatment (
p
< 0.001). Corneal disorders were significantly referred more to the ER (
p
= 0.001).
Conclusion
Despite of possible ethical and legal problems and clinical limitations of this instrument, Tele-ophthalmology using objective aids such as smartphone photography can be an efficient tool in aiding the primary-physician, especially for patients with low access to ophthalmologists, with major impact on patient management.
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