COVID-19

Investigators from Tel Aviv, Israel, cautioned this week that patients who wear face masks during the administration of intravitreal injections could be at a higher risk for the development of endophthalmitis.

In an effort to help ophthalmologists bring patients back to the office, a global ophthalmic medical device manufacturer has unveiled a line of patient personal protection equipment packs.

Gastrointestinal symptoms are common in children infected with SARS-CoV-2 and should trigger tests for the virus, according to investigators. This research comes after investigators earlier this month released results of a study of COVID-19 ocular manifestations in children in China.

One ophthalmic practice's staff has found that, despite the challenges faced by all healthcare professionals amid the coronavirus pandemic, a few proverbial “silver lining” practice adaptations will endure long after the crisis is over.

Physicians struggling under the strains of the pandemic often think they cannot seek professional counseling, as burnout is at an all-time high and more than 50% of ophthalmologists saw their incomes drop by more than 50%.

Humoral immunity against SARS-CoV-2 may not last long in individuals who had mild infections, and the loss of antibodies may actually be quicker than reported previously for the virus, according to investigators from the David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles.

Ranya Habash, MD, medical director, Technology Innovation, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, speaks on what she wished she’d known about telemedicine in ophthalmology five years ago, the impact of the pandemic in regards to FDA regulations, as well as why the future of telemedicine requires a new way of thinking.

Amid a surge in dry eye cases since reopening her practice during the ongoing pandemic, Lisa Nijm, MD, JD, shares how cyclosporine, a well-established form of treatment, poses both challenges and advantages for ophthalmologists.

According to an analysis of Medicaid enrollment data during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, there has been an increase in enrollment during the crisis. This shift is likely to have a ripple effect throughout the healthcare landscape, including ophthalmology.

Ranya Habash, MD, medical director, Technology Innovation, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, speaks on the obvious and not-so-obvious capabilities of telemedicine available to ophthalmologists in the ongoing pandemic.

A survey by the American Association of Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus found that the COVID-19 pandemic could leave some pediatric ophthalmology practices highly strained, possibly beyond repair.

A new study out of Wuhan, China where the novel coronavirus was first detected in late 2019 found that some children hospitalized with COVID-19 presented with series of onset symptoms that included conjunctival discharge, eye rubbing, and conjunctival congestion.

Organization kicks off initiative as it views mental health as a key public health concern in the WHO European region, where more than 110 million people are living with some type of mental health issue.

A New York City physician describes how he coped with the disease in the early days of its US appearance as well as the silver lining in his diagnosis: a reinforcement of the doctor-patient relationship.

Investigators with the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences have filed a US patent for a novel peptide that uses selenium as a catalyst to target vulnerable areas of coronaviruses, including COVID-19.

Megan Berkenstock, MD, assistant professor of ophthalmology at the Wilmer Eye Institute (Johns Hopkins University) speaks on the change in patient diagnoses and visit numbers by subspecialties in the weeks before and after the discovery of COVID-19 as well as the protocol needed to allow for the program's ambulatory surgery centers.

The FDA on Sunday issued an emergency use authorization to allow treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma for patients who are hospitalized with the disease.

Pandemic is disrupting clinical facilities, putting individuals’ ocular health at risk

Michael X. Repka, MD, vice chair of clinical practice at Wilmer Eye Institute (Johns Hopkins University) speaks on the institution's latest protocol changes allowing for the resumption of elective surgery as well as the adaptations clinicians have had to make in order to ensure the continuation of clinical practice at Wilmer Eye Institute.

Ophthalmologists share what keeps them up at night in the ophthalmic profession amid the pandemic.

Summer is typically a busy and spirited season for ophthalmology match candidates. Medical students endeavor to build a personal brand, draft their personal statements, update their curriculum vitae, and secure letters of recommendation in preparation for their ophthalmology residency applications.

In this second installment, ophthalmologists share how their expectations for "the year of the eye" have compared and contrasted to reality amid the global pandemic.

Investigators conducted a slit lamp biomicroscope experiment, simulating a patient undergoing an eye examination and then spontaneously coughing, spraying droplets.

Ophthalmologists share their outlook for the current state and future of the ophthalmic profession, how coronavirus pandemic has altered the profession as well as how —now, more than ever — patient care remains a number one priority for ophthalmologists.

One ophthalmologist offers insight on how to help patients treat their dry eye symptoms when working from home amid the pandemic.

Despite current flexibility, future enforcement could prove to be troublesome

The use of a human monoclonal antibody (Narsoplimab, Omeros) to treat acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) associated with COVID-19 resulted in recovery and survival of the affected patients.

According to a recent study, communities across the country are dealing with an increased number of mental health challenges due to “COVID-19–associated morbidity, mortality, and mitigation activities.”

Retina specialists Caesar Luo, MD, of Bay Area Retina Associates (Walnut Creek, CA) and S.K. Steven Houston III, MD, of Florida Retina Institute, share their outlooks on retina innovation in the "year of the eye" amid a global pandemic.