Review of Clinical and Operative Recommendations for Ophthalmology Practices During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Abstract

In response to climbing global case and fatality rates of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and its associated disease, COVID-19, ophthalmology practices have modified their clinical and operative approach to patient care in an attempt to reduce spread of the virus. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA in the preocular tear film raises speculation that the ocular surface can act as an initial site of infection as well as a potential source of person-to-person viral transmission. More recently, conjunctival specimens and immunohistochemical analyses have identified the presence of cellular surface factors necessary for SARS-CoV-2 infection on the ocular surface. Together, these results highlight the importance of safety measures in ophthalmology practices to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2. As ophthalmic exams typically require close proximity between a patient’s respiratory tract and the provider, clinical and surgical recommendations are aimed at reducing unnecessary patient-provider interactions. Subspecialty professional guidelines can be used to instruct ophthalmologists on the necessity of various procedures and best practice measures. Ophthalmology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic has been dramatically curtailed in an effort to reduce the risk of transmission and converse valuable personal protective equipment (PPE), and the impacts of the ongoing pandemic on ophthalmology practices will be felt for the foreseeable future.