BMJ Open Ophthalmol Ophthalmology Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic

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BMJ Open Ophthalmol


. 2020 Apr 19;5(1):e000487.
doi: 10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000487. eCollection 2020.
Ophthalmology Practice During the COVID-19 Pandemic


Khaled Safadi ¹ , Joshua M Kruger ¹ , Itay Chowers ¹ , Abraham Solomon ¹ , Radgonde Amer ¹ , Hamzah Aweidah ¹ , Shahar Frenkel ¹ , Hadas Mechoulam ¹ , Irene Anteby ¹ , Hadas Ben Eli ¹ , Itay Lavy ¹ , Tarek Jaouni ¹ , David Landau ¹ , Liran Tiosano ¹ , Gabriel Greifner ¹ , Shay Ofir ¹ , Tamar Levi Vineberg ¹ , Jaime Levy ¹



Affiliations

• PMID: 32432169
• PMCID: PMC7222613
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjophth-2020-000487

Abstract

Objective: To present an established practice protocol for safe and effective hospital-setting ophthalmic practice during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
Methods and analysis: Literature was reviewed to identify articles relevant to COVID-19 pandemic and ophthalmology. The following keywords were used: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 and telemedicine, combined with eye, ophthalmology, conjunctivitis and tears. Data were extracted from the identified manuscripts and discussed among subspecialists to obtain consensus evidence-based practice.
Results: A protocol for ophthalmic practice in the era of COVID-19 pandemic was established. The protocol covered patient screening, clinic flow, required personal protective equipment and modifications of ophthalmic equipment for improved safety.
Conclusion: Important literature emerged with respect to the practice of ophthalmology in the era of COVID-19. An evidence-based ophthalmic practice protocol was established and should be modified in the future to accommodate new insights on the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keywords: public health.