The Implications of COVID-19 to Ophthalmology

Tracy H T Lai; Emily W H Tang; Kenneth K W Li

doi:10.1007/978-3-030-63761-3_35

The Implications of COVID-19 to Ophthalmology

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2021:1318:637-655. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-63761-3_35.

Authors

Tracy H T Lai^{1

2}, Emily W H Tang^{1

2}, Kenneth K W Li^{3

4}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Ophthalmology, United Christian Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
² Department of Ophthalmology, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong.
³ Department of Ophthalmology, United Christian Hospital, Kowloon, Hong Kong. lkw856@ha.org.hk.
⁴ Department of Ophthalmology, Tseung Kwan O Hospital, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong. lkw856@ha.org.hk.

PMID: 33973203
DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-63761-3_35

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges to ophthalmology. At least 16 ophthalmologists worldwide have succumbed to COVID-19. It reflects the susceptibility of ophthalmologists to COVID-19 infection as they are in close proximity to patients. This chapter provides an overview of the ocular manifestations of COVID-19, risks of COVID-19 to ophthalmologists and patients, clinical service adjustments due to COVID-19, and infection control measures to minimize the transmission of COVID-19 in ophthalmic practice.

Keywords: COVID-19; Conjunctivitis; Coronavirus; Infection control; Ophthalmology; SARS-CoV-2.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

COVID-19*
Humans
Infection Control
Ophthalmology*
Pandemics
SARS-CoV-2