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. 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  2
Affiliations

Ophthalmology practice during the COVID-19 pandemic

Khaled Safadi et al. BMJ Open Ophthalmol. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Enhanced plastic breath shield.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Waiting area.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Flow chart of patients in ophthalmology clinics. PPE, personal protective equipment.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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