Management of Pediatric Ophthalmology Patients During the COVID-19 Outbreak: Experience From an Italian Tertiary Eye Center

Abstract

The novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which represents a public health threat and has been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. The authors describe the treatment of pediatric patients with ophthalmological problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in an Italian tertiary eye center. [ J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus . 2020;57(4):213–216.]

Visual Telerehabilitation with Visually Impaired Children: From the Pandemic Emergency to a Stand-Alone Method

“…However, further studies in the field are needed, since limited real-world data on the long-term effects of telerehabilitation for people with low vision are available. This study is significant because it is the first to statistically test the effects of visual telerehabilitation [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 16 , 17 ], and it has been able to catalyze and systemize the efforts of orthoptists who conducted pioneering visual telerehabilitation interventions during the pandemic [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Additionally, restrictive anti-contagion measures have increased the risk of rehabilitation drop-out for individuals with disabilities [ 8 ]. In order to overcome these challenges, professionals in various fields have adapted rehabilitation protocols to the telematic environment [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]. However, the adaptation of visual rehabilitation protocols was particularly challenging, due to a lack of international guidelines, and the difficulties faced by visually impaired patients in using technology [ 13 , 14 , 15 ].…”

COVID-19 and the increased risk of myopia and digital eye strain

“…(10) It is already known that an increased prevalence of myopia can lead to a higher prevalence of myopia-induced sight-threatening complications, including retinal detachment, retinal tears, and neovascularization in pathological myopias. (11) Given the current situation, managers and health authorities should consider of paramount importance the expanding of health services to ophthalmological monitoring of the population, (12) in order to prevent the increased prevalence of non-negligible ocular diseases, including myopia and ocular surface disorders (such as digital eye strain). Moreover, einstein (São Paulo).…”

COVID-19 and Refractive Errors: A New Potential Threat for Children and Adolescents

“…The virus that causes the disease was named severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and it is characterized by high transmissibility (3-and 10-fold higher than those of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV) and Middle east respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV)), which has been proven to be directly related to the sequence of the S protein of the virus [4]. Given the current scenario, governments all over the world have imposed strong public health restrictions, including social distancing, travel prohibitions, and quarantines, in order to decrease the impact of the epidemic on the population as well as on global healthcare systems [5][6][7]. Given this and the increasing number of SARS-CoV-2 infections, the population lifestyle is forcefully subjected to significant modifications, including decreased physical activity levels, irregular sleep habits [8] and, importantly, more time spent on computer and television monitor screens [9].…”