Urgent and Emergent Eye Care Strategies to Protect Against COVID-19
Objective: This article presents additional strategies to the medical profession al and support tactics to keep both the health care provider and patient as safe as possible during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Observations: Follicular conjunctivitis has been reported as an early sign of infection or during hospitalization for severe COVID-19 disease. It has been confirmed that COVID-19 is transmitted through both respiratory droplets and direct contact. Another possible route of viral transmission is entry through aerosolized droplets into the tears, which then pass through the nasolacrimal ducts and into the respiratory tract. For nonemergent care, eye care providers should use telehealth. Eye care providers should prioritize patient care in order of absolute necessity, such as sudden vision loss, sudden onset flashes and floaters, and eye trauma. In those cases, exposure should be minimized. The close proximity between eye care providers and their patients during slit-lamp examination may require further precautions, such as shields, barriers, and mask use to lower the risk of transmission via droplets or through hand to eye contact.
Conclusions: All nonemergent eye care appointments should be delayed or conducted remotely. For emergent in-person appointments, careful and appropriate adherence to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations may minimize exposure for both the health care provider and patient.
Infection Prevention and Control Measures
Last, once the patient leaves the examination room, it should be properly disinfected. A disinfection checklist may be made to ensure uniform systematic cleaning. Alcohol and bleach-based disinfectants commonly used in health care settings are likely very effective against virus particles that cause COVID-19.10 During the disinfection process, gloves should be worn and careful attention paid to the contact time. Contact time is the amount of time the surface should appear visibly wet for proper disinfection. For example, Metrex CaviWipes have a recommended contact time of 3 minutes; however, this varies depending on type of virus and formulation, check labels or manufacturers’ websites for further directions.10 Also, the US Environmental Protection Agency has a database search available for disinfectants that meet their criteria for use against SARS-CoV-2.11
In an ever-changing environment, we offer this article to help equip providers to deliver the best possible patient care when face-to-face encounters are necessary. Currently nonurgent eye care follow-up visits are being conducted by telephone or video clinics. It is our goal to inform fellow practitioners on options and strategies to elevate the safety of staff and patients while minimizing the risk of exposure.
