Preparedness among Ophthalmologists: During and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic

Li, Ji-Peng Olivia; Shantha, Jessica G.; Wong, Tien Yin; Wong, Edmund; Mehta, J. S.; Lin, Haotian; Lin, Xiaofeng; Strouthidis, Nicholas G.; Park, Ki Ho; Fung, Adrian T.; McLeod, Stephen D.; Busin, Massimo; Parke, David W.; Holland, Gary N.; Chodosh, James; Yeh, Steven; Ting, Daniel Shu Wei

doi:10.1016/j.ophtha.2020.03.037

Cited by 126 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The specifics of appropriate personal protection equipment and policies and the failure to provide adequate supplies to health care workers is beyond the scope of this perspective and has been recently addressed. 73 Each country and institution is dealing with the unique challenges of balancing appropriate protection with rationing diminishing supplies. 69 , 74 , 75 However, there are certain over-arching principles of infection control that must be adhered to in order for ophthalmologist to practice safely.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of COVID-19 for Ophthalmologists

Danesh‐Meyer

McGhee

2021

American Journal of Ophthalmology

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Purpose To describe and explain the implications of COVID-19(SARS-CoV-2) for ophthalmologists in light of the rapid developments in our understanding of the virology, transmission and ocular involvement. Design Evidence-based perspective Methods Review and synthesis of pertinent literature Results Retrospective studies highlight that less than 1% of patients display COVID-19 related-conjunctivitis. However, prospective studies suggest the rate is higher, approximately 6%. Viral RNA has been identified in tears and conjunctival secretions in patients with active conjunctivitis as well as asymptomatic cases. Overall, conjunctival swabs are positive in 2.5%. Samples taken earlier in the disease course are more likely to demonstrate positive virus. Viral transmission through ocular tissues has not been substantiated. Ophthalmologists are in the high-risk category for COVID-19 infection for several reasons: high volume clinics, close proximity with patients, equipment intense clinics and direct contact with patients’ conjunctival mucosal surfaces. COVID-19 is predominantly contracted through direct or airborne transmission by inhalation of respiratory droplets. Evidence that aerosol transmission occurs is increasing in particularly prolonged exposure to high concentrations in a relatively closed environment. Based on the current evidence ophthalmologists should consider measures that include social distancing, wearing masks, sterilisation techniques and managing clinic volumes. Conclusions A major challenge to containing COVID-19 is that many infected people are asymptomatic. Droplet spread, contaminated environmental surfaces and shared medical devices are particular areas that require management by ophthalmologists. More studies are required to explore the role of the conjunctiva and ocular tissues in the transmission of disease.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Implications of COVID-19 for Ophthalmologists

Danesh‐Meyer

McGhee

2021

American Journal of Ophthalmology

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“…Our clinical practices and resident training programs continue to implement changes in response to evolving public health needs. 1 , 2 In parallel, a need exists to transform medical student education in ophthalmology and to think critically about the medical student path to residency in ophthalmology. Since April 2020, a group of medical student educators from New York, an early American epicenter of the pandemic, has met virtually to collaborate and share resources.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Medical Education and Path to Residency in Ophthalmology in the COVID-19 Era: Perspective from Medical Student Educators

Duong¹,

Tassel²,

Fernández³

et al. 2020

Ophthalmology

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“…Dr Li probably contracted SARS-CoV-2 from an asymptomatic glaucoma patient, highlighting the risk of COVID-19 infection during eye examinations. 1 General practitioners (GPs) frequently see patients with eye and vision complaints. Therefore, they need to be aware of how to mitigate risk during examination and triage patients to receive eye care during the current COVID-19 pandemic.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%