Recommendations for eye care during the alarm state by the coronavirus disease pandemic COVID-19

Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol (Engl Ed). 2020 Jun;95(6):300-310. doi: 10.1016/j.oftal.2020.04.002. Epub 2020 Apr 25.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Objective: Minimize exposure to the SARS-CoV-2, reduce the chances of cross-transmission between patients and healthcare personnel, and prevent the development of postoperative complications from the management of patients with eye diseases during the 2019 coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19).

Methods: COVID-19 literature review and consensus establishment between different Spanish ophthalmology societies in order to provide guidelines and recommendations of maximum resources primarily conditioned by the state of alert, confinement and social distancing that occurs in Spain since March 16, 2020.

Results: The recommendations will promote the adoption of action and protection measures for eye care in outpatient clinics, surgical areas and hospitalization, for unconfirmed (asymptomatic and symptomatic) and confirmed COVID-19 patients. Measures must be adapted to the circumstances and availability of personal protective equipment in each of the centers and Autonomous Communities, which will be updated according to the pandemic phases and the measures adopted by the Spanish Government.

Conclusions: During the COVID-19 pandemic, attention to the potential health risks to the population caused by coronavirus should prevail over the possible progression of the common eye diseases. Ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals must assume a possible progression of these diseases due to the impossibility of adequate patient follow-up.

Keywords: Atención oftalmológica; COVID-19; Eye care; Oftalmología; Ophthalmology; Pandemia; Pandemic; Recomendaciones; Recommendations; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

  • Practice Guideline
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use
  • Asymptomatic Diseases
  • Betacoronavirus*
  • Blood Safety
  • COVID-19
  • Chloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Contact Lenses
  • Coronavirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology*
  • Coronavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Coronavirus Infections / transmission*
  • Disease Progression
  • Eye Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Eye Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Hydroxychloroquine / therapeutic use
  • Infectious Disease Transmission, Patient-to-Professional / prevention & control*
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / adverse effects
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures / methods
  • Ophthalmology
  • Pandemics* / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology*
  • Pneumonia, Viral / prevention & control
  • Pneumonia, Viral / transmission*
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control*
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Societies, Medical
  • Spain
  • Symptom Assessment / methods
  • Withholding Treatment

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Hydroxychloroquine
  • Chloroquine