{"title":"Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Refractive Surgery.","authors":"Matthew Bickford, Karolinne Rocha","doi":"10.1007/s40135-021-00280-2","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>In this article, we review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on refractive surgery.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>COVID-19 infection frequently causes eye symptoms, most commonly conjunctivitis or mild irritation. While virus can be detected in tears of symptomatic patients, the risk of transmission via this route appears low.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Refractive surgery consultations were significantly reduced during the pandemic; however, volume is rebounding quickly likely due to a number of lifestyle, health, and financial factors. Laser refractive and intraocular surgery likely confer a low risk of virus spread, especially in asymptomatic patients. Screening prior to the refractive consultation and surface disinfection in the clinic and operating room can help reduce transmission risk further.</p>","PeriodicalId":10836,"journal":{"name":"Current Ophthalmology Reports","volume":"9 4","pages":"127-132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.9000,"publicationDate":"2021-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8532571/pdf/","citationCount":"2","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Current Ophthalmology Reports","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s40135-021-00280-2","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2021/10/22 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"OPHTHALMOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 2
Abstract
Purpose of review: In this article, we review the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on refractive surgery.
Recent findings: COVID-19 infection frequently causes eye symptoms, most commonly conjunctivitis or mild irritation. While virus can be detected in tears of symptomatic patients, the risk of transmission via this route appears low.
Summary: Refractive surgery consultations were significantly reduced during the pandemic; however, volume is rebounding quickly likely due to a number of lifestyle, health, and financial factors. Laser refractive and intraocular surgery likely confer a low risk of virus spread, especially in asymptomatic patients. Screening prior to the refractive consultation and surface disinfection in the clinic and operating room can help reduce transmission risk further.
期刊介绍:
This journal aims to offer expert review articles on the most significant recent developments in the field of ophthalmology. By providing clear, insightful, balanced contributions, the journal intends to serve those who diagnose, treat, manage, and prevent ocular conditions and diseases. We accomplish this aim by appointing international authorities to serve as Section Editors in key subject areas across the field. Section Editors select topics for which leading experts contribute comprehensive review articles that emphasize new developments and recently published papers of major importance, highlighted by annotated reference lists. An Editorial Board of more than 20 internationally diverse members reviews the annual table of contents, ensures that topics include emerging research, and suggests topics of special importance to their country/region. Topics covered may include age-related macular degeneration; diabetic retinopathy; dry eye syndrome; glaucoma; pediatric ophthalmology; ocular infections; refractive surgery; and stem cell therapy.