**This manuscript has been accepted for publication but not yet copyedited or typeset, and may be subject to minor changes during the production process.**
The Novel Coronavirus: Implications of a Global Pandemic on the Practice of Ophthalmology
Abstract:
Overview
The year 2020 has thus far been dominated by the meteoric rise of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Multiple lifestyle changes including work from home orders and social distancing have become the new normal as the world attempts to grapple with the uncertainty resulting from this pandemic. COVID-19’s impact has been far reaching, disrupting many facets of daily life for people all across the world. Nearly every industry has been required to modify its practice by adopting stricter safety recommendations. Providing quality healthcare in concordance with these guidelines has proved to be a challenge. Ophthalmology has faced unique barriers resulting from COVID-19 due to the proximity and duration of the exam required, diversity and volume of patient encounters, as well as unclear ocular manifestations of the virus. This review article aims to summarize recent literature pertaining to the epidemiology of COVID-19, ocular manifestations of the virus, and information on continued safe practice.
Keywords
Coronavirus, COVID-19, ophthalmic practice, ophthalmology, practice management, infection control
Article:
Article Information:
Disclosure
To be confirmed
Compliance With Ethics
This is a short opinion piece and did not involve any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.
Review Process
Double-blind peer review.
Authorship
The named authors meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship of this manuscript, take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, and have given final approval for the version to be published.
Correspondence
Cole Milliken, Storm Eye Institute – Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, US. E: millikec@musc.edu
Support
No funding was received in the publication of this article.
Open Access
This article is freely accessible at touchOPHTHALMOLOGY.com © Touch Medical Media 2020
Received
2020-11-12