Uveitis Specialists Harnessing Disruptive Technology during the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

Abstract

Spurred by the coronavirus disease pandemic and shortage of eye care providers, telemedicine is transforming the way ophthalmologists care for their patients. Video conferencing, ophthalmic imaging, hybrid visits, intraocular inflammation quantification, and portable technology are evolving areas that may allow more uveitis patients to be evaluated via telemedicine. Despite these promising disruptive technologies, there remain significant technological limitations, legal barriers, variable insurance coverage for virtual visits, and lack of clinical trials for uveitis specialists to embrace telemedicine.

Keywords: COVID-19; hybrid office visit; tele-ophthalmology; telemedicine; uveitis.