Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by a highly contagious RNA virus termed as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Ophthalmologists are at high-risk due to their proximity and short working distance at the time of
slit-lamp examination. Eye care professionals can be caught unaware because
conjunctivitis may be one of the first signs of
COVID-19 at presentation, even precluding the emergence of additional symptoms such as dry
cough and
anosmia. Breath and eye shields as well as
N95 masks, should be worn while examining patients with
fever,
breathlessness, or any history of international travel or travel from any hotspot besides maintaining
hand hygiene. All elective surgeries need to be deferred. Adults or children with sudden-onset painful or painless visual loss, or sudden-onset
squint, or sudden-onset floaters or severe lid oedema need a referral for
urgent care. Patients should be told to discontinue
contact lens wear if they have any symptoms of
COVID-19. Cornea retrieval should be avoided in confirmed cases and suspects, and long-term preservation medium for storage of corneas should be encouraged.
Retinal screening is unnecessary for coronavirus patients taking
chloroquine or
hydroxychloroquine as the probability of toxic damage to the retina is less due to short-duration of
drug therapy. Tele-ophthalmology and artificial intelligence should be preferred for increasing doctor-patient interaction.