David Hutton

A team of Turkish investigators detected COVID-19 viral material on the environmental surfaces of an ophthalmology examination room despite triage systems to exclude patients with the virus.

Justis P. Ehlers, MD, speaks on the key findings and take-aways from his presentation "Impact of baseline OCT characteristics on response to risuteganib for the treatment of intermediate age-related macular degeneration (AMD)."

Daniel F. Kiernan, MD, FACS, speaks on the key findings and take-aways of his presentation "Dexamethasone intracameral drug-delivery suspension for inflammation associated with vitreoretinal surgery."

The Department of Health and Human Services recently extended the national public health emergency declared for the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby extending payment and regulatory flexibilities. Amid the pandemic, ophthalmologists continue to adapt to practicing in the era of COVID-19.

Dilraj Grewal, MD, associate professor of ophthalmology at Duke Eye Center/ director of grading at the Duke Reading Center, speaks on his presentation "Evaluating the True 3-Year Recurrence Rate in Non-infectious Posterior Segment Uveitis Following an Injectable Fluocinolone Acetonide Insert," during the virtual 2020 ASRS meeting.

About 10.1 million people could lose employer-based insurance coverage this year as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to a report released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

A potential coronavirus vaccine has produced a promising immune response in a large, early-stage human trial.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO) is taking its annual meeting virtual amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is providing money to safety net hospitals, and certain rural care providers and providers in small metropolitan areas.

Patient enrollment for the NORSE 2 clinical trial has been completed, with safety and efficacy data expected to be reported in the third quarter of 2021.

The American Medical Association, American Hospital Association and American Nurses Association on Monday urged Americans to wear a mask and practice social distancing in an effort to stem the spread of the coronavirus.

In a new survey by medical software provider Kyruus, nearly three quarters had tried virtual care during the COVID-19 pandemic and more than 75 percent said they were very or completely satisfied with their experience.

A survey from The Larry A. Greene Center and the Primary Care Collaborative found that the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting the well-being of physicians.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, coronavirus cases are on the rise in at least 32 states, and many of these states are also seeing increasing hospitalizations. These numbers are raising a red flag among ophthalmologists.

A report out of the United Kingdom revealed more than a 70% reduction in new referrals and a high rate of missed appointments due to the coronavirus, raising red flags for U.S. ophthalmologists.

The leadership of the American College of Physicians and the American Medical Association, in a joint letter issued this week, are calling for the U.S. healthcare system to wake up to the inequities laid bare by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A team of researchers at the University of Alberta believe a case of pink eye is now a reason to be tested for COVID-19.

In letters to several major health insurers and health insurance associations in the United States, the American College of Physicians suggested recommendations about how to keep the new COVID-19 flexibilities in place after the period of the public health emergency has ended. 

While ophthalmologists and their staffs continue to face challenges with the availability of proper personal protective equipment amid the COVID-19 pandemic, an internal Federal Emergency Management Agency slideshow detailed that N95 masks may have to be reused into October. 

As protests continue to take place in cities across the United States in the wake of the death of George Floyd at the hands of a Minneapolis, MN, police officer, the American Academy of Ophthalmology, and other physician groups are stepping up to add their voices to groups calling for an end to racism and discrimination.

Challenges often drive innovation. Amid the current pandemic, an increasing number of Americans are using telehealth services and appear to like it, according to a new survey.

For graduates and residents, the spring of 2020 promised to be a special time as they took the next step in their careers in ophthalmology in the “Year of the Eye.” It has turned out to be memorable for different reasons. 

In a statement, the organization said the 2020 ASRS Annual Meeting, scheduled July 24-28 in Seattle, cannot occur in person as planned. 

In the months since social distancing and stay-at-home orders became the norm, many ophthalmologists have conducted visits with patients through telemedicine-providing ophthalmic care using the internet and telecommunications technology. 

With patient confidence and safety concerns increasing amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the trend toward performing procedures in an ambulatory surgery center could be hastened for ophthalmologists. 

Guidance from the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery, and the Outpatient Ophthalmic Surgery Society for reopening ambulatory surgery centers. 

As facilities find masks and personal protective equipment in short supply, hospitals and practices must decide what is appropriate PPE for ophthalmologists performing ophthalmic examinations, particularly when it comes to masks and goggles. 

Ophthalmologists nationwide are adapting the way they manage their practices, instituting changes to ensure patient and staff safety.