Differences in SARS-CoV-2 recommendations from major ophthalmology societies worldwide

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global health emergency, prompting medical societies worldwide to issue practice guidelines.
• Ophthalmologists globally adapted clinical and surgical practices in response to these recommendations.
• This study analyzes COVID-19 recommendations from major international ophthalmology societies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine and compare publicly available COVID-19 recommendations from twelve major ophthalmology societies globally.
• To identify variations and commonalities in guidelines concerning patient care and physician safety during the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Included twelve major ophthalmology societies recognized by the International Council of Ophthalmology.
• Selected one society per WHO region based on COVID-19 case numbers (May 11, 2020).
• Included the leading ophthalmology society from each G7 country.

Main Results:

• Ten of the twelve societies provided recommendations covering urgent care, social distancing, telemedicine, and personal protective equipment.
• All guidelines stressed postponing non-urgent procedures and implementing safety measures.
• Significant differences were observed in specific recommendations across various countries.

Conclusions:

• A lack of clear international consensus exists for ophthalmology guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Understanding these international variations is crucial for ophthalmologists and eye care providers.
• This knowledge facilitates the adoption of best practices and evidence-based approaches during pandemics.