With various reports pointing out possible SARS-CoV-2 infection through the eye and the need for protecting eye health professionals as well as patients, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday issued guidelines that encourage tele-consultations and following an appointment system for those needing investigations and procedures.
While no routine procedure/surgery has been allowed on a Covid-19 suspect or a confirmed case, the Ministry has banned operation of eye care facilities in containment zones. Persons above 65 years of age, persons with co-morbidities, pregnant women and children below the age of 10 years should be encouraged to stay at home, unless they are patients themselves.
Noting the examination and procedures related to ophthalmology involves close interactions with the patient, the Ministry said the guidelines are aimed at minimising the spread of Covid-19 infection among ophthalmologists, ophthalmic assistants/technicians, nurses, support staff, patients and their attendants.
As per the ‘Guidelines on Safe Ophthalmology Practices in Covid-19 Scenario’, eye drops should be put in the patient’s eye by a nursing or paramedical staff with a no touch technique.
Pre-surgical Covid-19 test on patients is not mandatory, but a thorough history taking and examination must be done to ensure that patient has minimal probability of having the infection.
According to guidelines no routine procedure/surgery should be done on a Covid-19 suspect or a confirmed case.
“Tele-counselling and teleconsultation should be encouraged to lessen patient visits and/or appointment system can be followed to call patients needing examination/eye investigations/procedures,” the guidelines said.
Eye-care facilities should encourage app-based mobile phone check in and payment along with digital prescription of glasses and medicines to prevent long queues, it said.
The identified patients may be called to the base hospital by appointment for cataract surgery, so that backlog of cataract cases does not build up.
“No eye-ball retrieval from homes to be undertaken, only Hospital Cornea Retrieval Program can be continued in non-Covid-19 cadavers, for utilization of corneas for therapeutic purposes only,” the document underscored.
In case a Covid-19 patient with eye condition is to be admitted, a separate room or an isolation ward should be used, the document stated.
According to experts, there are three potential routes through which SARS-CoV-2 can infect the eye: by direct contact of the conjunctiva with infected droplets, by touching the eyes with the hands or by migration of upper respiratory tract infection through the nasolacrimal duct.
