Keeping our eyecare providers and patients safe during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the defining event of this generation. To date, there are over 2 million cases including more than 145,000 deaths with this number constantly rises day by day. The lack of a cure or a viable vaccine has resulted in the implementation of extreme social distancing measures with lockdowns declared in many countries to minimise person-to-person interactions to prevent the transmission of the virus. These measures have a profound impact on health care provision. A few sub-specialities such as ENT, anaesthesia and ophthalmology are considered to be at higher risk than others due to the close proximity to patients and the nature of procedures associated with higher transmission risk.