Investigation of the Effect of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Clinical Attitudes and Habits of Ophthalmologists: A Survey Study

Abstract

While the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is rapidly spreading all over the world in a short time, ophthalmological examinations that require to be in close contact with patients have increased the risk of disease infection for ophthalmologists. In this study, it is aimed to examine various personal protective equipment and clothes used by ophthalmologists to protect themselves in ophthalmology and analyze the changes in their attitude and approaches towards patients during the pandemic period. Material and Methods: During a 3-month period beginning from the pandemic in Turkey, a 22-question survey about ophthalmologists' use of mask, clothes, biomicroscope breathing shield, protective glasses, gloves, the habit of giving contact lens, surgical practices in the clinic, number of patients, attitude towards patients, contacts with the confirmed COVID-19 patients and COVID-19 duties apart from ophthalmology have been prepared and sent to all opthalmologists working in Turkey and the obtained data were analyzed. Results: A hundred and twelve voluntary ophthalmologists have participated in the study. While all participants were putting on masks in the clinic, 79.6% of them were wearing protective clothes, 64.5% of them were putting on face shields and 96.4% of them were using a biomicroscope breathing shield. While 44% of the participants have been in non-ophthalmology COVID-19 duty, 92% of participants' giving contact lenses, and the surgical routine of 93% of them have changed during the pandemic period. Communications with patients, patient numbers, and examination duration have also been affected by the pandemic period at varying degrees. Conclusion: In the pandemic period, many ophthalmologists have been on the pandemic duty aside from their fields and this period has affected at varying rates the duration of ophthalmologists' communication and examination, their patient number, and their routines such as giving contact lens and surgical practice.