COVID-19 and Ophthalmologists
15 Sep 2020-Indian Journal of Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology (Ip Innovative Publication Pvt. Ltd.)-Vol. 6, Iss: 3, pp 312-314
TL;DR: The outbreak of 2019 novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) was started from Wuhan city of China on December 3, 2019 and in India in 2020 and now this virus has spread across the world to become one of the most serious pandemic.
Abstract: The outbreak of 2019 novel corona virus disease (COVID-19) was started from Wuhan city of China on December 3, 2019 [World Health Organization] and in India COVID-19 was reported first time on January 30, 2020. Now this virus has spread across the world to become one of the most serious pandemic. Till September 27, 2020 this virus has caused nearly 32,429,965 infections and 985,823 deaths all over world.1 In India, the total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has exceeded 5,903,932 and 85,362 deaths have been reported as of September, 27,2020. [www.worldometer.info/corona virus last accessed on 2020, September 27]. COVID-19 has several connections with eye and Ophthalmologist. Dr Li Wenliang, Wuhan based Ophthalmologist first identified the epidemic and raised the initial alarms to the local authorities about this new virus and its dangers but he was falsely accused by the local security bureau forgiving wrong statements. Dr. Li Wenliang subsequently died of this disease, he thought, he was contaminated by an asymptomatic glaucoma patient.2,3 Yuen Ks et al. had reported about the clinical manifestations of this disease on ocular screening of SARs patients held in the year 2004, they had screened 45 such patients and identified common manifestations among patients treated with high dose of corticosteroids; the only positive finding was a raised IOP, which persisted even after discontinuation of the treatment. Since the COVID 19 virus is similar to the SARs virus, this prospect needs to be studied in future.4 On the basis of symptoms comparisons are being made with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) as both of them are variants of corona virus. SARS and MERs have also been known to get transferred to surfaces and contamination can enter the human body by routes like nasal mucosa, ocular surfaces, oral mucosa subsequently.5 On the basis of experience with viral pandemics of SARs and MERs, we are capable of knowing about COVID-19 transmission and its direct and indirect human to human spread. Corona virus (SARS CoV) is found to be transmitted predominantly from one human to another via respiratory aerosols by direct contact or by fine droplets reaching the mucous membranes of the mouth nose or eyes. The body fluids and infectious droplets of a patient can find the eyes of a normal person as an entry point of the disease and vice versa from infected patients. Respiratory viruses are possible reason for ocular complications.6 It has been found that all kinds of body fluids may be responsible for transmission; Tears are a definite risk for SARS CoV transmission. Hence an exposure of naked eyes to 2019_nCoV can be a potential source of infection. Viral RNA has also been found in conjunctival scrapings, tear film, Pharyngeal swabs, sputum, nasal, Blood, faeces samples, Broncho-alveolar lavage fluid and fibro-bronchoscope brush biopsy from patients with severe illness or undergoing mechanical ventilation from infected patients, raising the possibility of transmission through the fecal/oral route.7 Infection to Li Wenliang from an asymptomatic glaucoma patient suggests that asymptomatic
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01 Jun 2020
TL;DR: 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.
Abstract: Resumen Objetivo Minimizar la exposicion al virus SARS-CoV-2, reducir las posibilidades de transmision cruzada entre pacientes y personal sanitario, y evitar el desarrollo de complicaciones postoperatorias por la atencion a pacientes con enfermedades oculares durante la pandemia de enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Metodos Elaboracion de un documento de revision del estado del conocimiento sobre COVID-19 y consenso entre diferentes sociedades oftalmologicas espanolas y afines, al objeto de proporcionar guias y recomendaciones de maximos recursos primariamente condicionadas por el estado de alerta, confinamiento y distanciamiento social que acontece en Espana desde el 16 de marzo de 2020. Resultados Las recomendaciones promoveran la adopcion de medidas de actuacion y proteccion para el desarrollo de la actividad asistencial en consultas externas, area quirurgica y hospitalizacion, tanto para pacientes no confirmados –asintomaticos y sintomaticos– como confirmados de COVID-19. Deberan ser adaptadas a las circunstancias y disponibilidad de equipos de proteccion individual en cada uno de los centros y Comunidades Autonomas, debiendo ser actualizadas en funcion de las fases de la pandemia y de las medidas que adopte el Gobierno de la nacion. Conclusiones Durante la pandemia COVID-19, la atencion a los potenciales riesgos de salud para la poblacion ocasionados por el coronavirus debera prevalecer sobre la posible progresion de enfermedades oculares comunes. Tanto medicos oftalmologos como restantes profesionales de la salud ocular deberan asumir una posible progresion de dichas enfermedades ante la imposibilidad de un seguimiento adecuado de los pacientes.
10 citations
TL;DR: Ophthalmologists and other eye care professionals must assume a possible progression of these diseases due to the impossibility of adequate patient follow-up and attention to the potential health risks to the population caused by coronavirus should prevail.
7 citations
TL;DR: The Spanish Society of Ophthalmology is one of the major ophthalmology societies providing periodic and systematized recommendations for ophthalmic care during the COVID-19 pandemic as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, this paper provides recommendations for medical eye care during the easing of control measures after lockdown. The guidelines presented are based on a literature review and consensus among all Spanish Ophthalmology Societies regarding protection measures recommended for the ophthalmologic care of patients with or without confirmed COVID-19 in outpatient, inpatient, emergency and surgery settings. We recommend that all measures be adapted to the circumstances and availability of personal protective equipment at each centre and also highlight the need to periodically update recommendations as we may need to readopt more restrictive measures depending on the local epidemiology of the virus. These guidelines are designed to avoid the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among both patients and healthcare staff as we gradually return to normal medical practice, to prevent postoperative complications and try to reduce possible deficiencies in the diagnosis, treatment and follow-up of the ophthalmic diseases. With this update (5th ) the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology is placed as one of the major ophthalmology societies providing periodic and systematized recommendations for ophthalmic care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
6 citations
01 Jun 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present 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.
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.
2 citations
TL;DR: A hospital based retrospective review of mycology and histopathology reports of post COVID rhino orbital mucormycosis patients referred from ophthalmology, ear nose throat surgery, oral maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery department of mahatma gandhi memorial medical college, Indore from 1 June to 7 July 2021 acknowledges that aspergillus and candida has contributed significantly in post covid mycoses and that mucor is not the only culprit.
Abstract: : Due to the surge of post COVID mucormycosis in India there has been a significant patient load seen in hospitals we have observed that mucor is not the only culprit and there has been other fungi like aspergillus and candida, who have led to increased morbidity and mortality.: To conduct a retrospective analysis on laboratory reports of specimens sent after surgical intervention of patients admitted with mucormycosis and to identify the weightage of different fungal infections in the post COVID era.: It is a hospital based retrospective review of mycology and histopathology reports of post COVID rhino orbital mucormycosis patients referred from ophthalmology, ear nose throat surgery, oral maxillofacial surgery, neurosurgery department of mahatma gandhi memorial medical college, Indore, Madhya Pradesh from 1 June to 7 July 2021. : Out of 240 samples sent for histopathology examination, 1.6% samples showed mucormycosis with secondary aspergillosis while 98.33% samples showed primarily mucormycosis likewise 270 KOH mount reported around 8.51% mucormycosis with secondary aspergillosis, 4.81% reported primary aspergillosis, 72.15% reported primarily mucormycoses.: We acknowledge that aspergillus and candida has contributed significantly in post covid mycoses and that mucor is not the only culprit.
1 citations
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TL;DR: There is evidence that human-to-human transmission has occurred among close contacts since the middle of December 2019 and considerable efforts to reduce transmission will be required to control outbreaks if similar dynamics apply elsewhere.
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518 citations